There has been major concern over the past two months in the farming community, particularly in the beef and suckler sectors. We have particular added challenges with respect to Brexit, Mercosur and climate change, all of which will affect this sector more than any others. Farm income in this sector is not sustainable. Farmers cannot continue producing cattle at the current low price levels. Suckler farmers are the lifeblood of rural Ireland but we are losing them. Who will manage this land in the future if the activity of farming continues to mean that farmers have less money at the end of the year than at the start of it? What young farmer will consider entering that sector with such low price levels?

There has been much debate in recent months particularly on improving transparency in the beef market and we absolutely need to see progress on that. We have seen the first producer group set up on a legal basis but that needs to work for farmers in order for them to receive better prices for their animals. We need to have confidence that there is a fair distribution of the value of a beef carcase. The beef exceptional aid measure, BEAM, is worthwhile but it is disappointing that not all the farmers who could have subscribed to it have subscribed.

Like Senator Mulherin, I would like to see an extension of the closing date for the scheme to ensure that the maximum number of farmers can benefit. We should be paying farmers to keep a number of cattle based on farm viability and environmental sustainability. There is a huge concern in regard to a carbon tax on agricultural diesel. This is an important point in the context of the upcoming budget. Unfortunately, there are no electric tractors and no sign of any coming on stream soon. Any increase in agricultural diesel will have a huge impact on farmers. I ask the Leader to have the Minister, Deputy Creed, come to the House to discuss all these important issues, particularly the beef and suckler sectors.

On the beef issue, as someone who tried to organise that sector for the best part of two years and will miss the debate next week, I would like, if I may, to make two points. First, Jim Power, with whom I do not usually agree, made the point that we do not know the profits in the beef industry because a number of the key companies are private unlimited companies. Second - I say this hand on heart - any time we tried to secure a decent rate of pay in those factories, the workers concerned were sacked. The beef factories are gangsters. I speak from first-hand experience. It is a pity that the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, did not work with SIPTU at the time it was trying to organise. It is a pity for all of us, particularly the sector.

This morning, I attended an impressive presentation by early years professionals, highlighting, once again, the appalling plight of childcare workers in terms of low pay and insecurity. Thousands of them have to sign-on each summer because they only get 38 weeks work. One in two of these workers is leaving or planning to leave the sector. The attrition rate is 25%. One can imagine the impact of this in terms of care and continuity of care. This is the third year in a row that they have asked the Government to introduce a living wage such that every worker in the childcare sector would get that wage, as a minimum. I welcome that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, has publicly supported that proposal. The ball is now in Fine Gael's court. This can be done. Sinn Féin has costed it in its submission for the upcoming budget. It can be easily done. What is lacking is the will on the part of Fine Gael to do it. I was delighted to see Fine Gael representation at the meeting this morning. I call on the Leader to arrange a debate on this issue and, more importantly, I call for action in that regard in the upcoming budget. Let us make sure that childcare workers in this country have a decent future, decent pay and decent conditions.