All I can say is that is not the information available to our Department. We have staff in those places and we have contracted temporary veterinary inspectors. I want to say that is certainly not the case on the basis of the information available to me. In all of this, public health is the primary concern. The processing of meat is important but it is a secondary concern to the primacy of the health of the people working in those plants. The measures in place include social distancing, hand-washing etiquette, Persp…

The structure of this is very difficult because it is not opportune-----

We produce-----

We will try to give the Deputy simple answers which he might understand. We produce approximately 600,000 tonnes of beef every year, of which we export 90%. Approximately 300,000 tonnes of that goes to the UK. UK farmer representatives are complaining to UK retailers about stocking Irish beef. We see a story running about the Polish approach to renationalisation. Deputy Carthy's proposal, for which I understand there is some popular traction, is that we should be here clamouring for Irish beef for the Irish market.…

Does the Deputy want an answer?

I alluded to the BEAM conditionality earlier and the willingness to keep an open mind on it, but I do not recognise at this stage that there has been any adverse impact on the operations of farmers. My response to the EU response has been quoted out of context. We were in a situation where the EU's initial response was to free up state aid flexibility and after that we were on our own. We contacted every member state to galvanise support for a common approach across Europe and in so far as there is a common approac…

I thank the Deputy. On the latter point, the industry is particularly aware of domestic and global consumer interest in a carbon-efficient production system. We are at an advanced stage in the implementation of the climate action plan that has been approved by this House and the Government. Ireland is a global leader in these industries. Along with their counterparts in New Zealand, Irish farmers are recognised as the most carbon-efficient dairy producers. I see no reason that we should sacrifice the industry on an…

I share the Deputy's view that constructive dialogue is the way to go and I look forward to that. I have engaged directly with SBCI and accept that there is a gap in the financial instruments that we have so far been able to deliver, with regard to working capital. As I alluded to earlier, a legislative fix is required to enable us to deal with that. We are making sure that once that is delivered, everything else will be ready. I have also engaged with the pillar banks about forbearance for the industry. Regarding …

On the latter point, the Department consistently advises farmers regarding the rules and regulations and timelines concerning when the burning of uplands is permitted. It is also brought to their attention that those in breach of those regulations run the risk of disqualifying themselves from their entitlement to payments from the Department. There is also a Commission interest in these matters. I concur with the Deputy that out-of-season burning is entirely unacceptable. We have been adamant in that regard. People…

I thank the Deputy. I will try to deal with many of the issues he has raised. On the issue of migrant workers, the European Commission in a communiqué in late March made a specific appeal to member states to recognise that this section of the workforce needed to be facilitated. They have been an integral part of, in particular, the horticulture sector here for many years. Many people who work here come back year after year. That in itself is a statement in respect of the terms and conditions under which they are em…

When we talk about food security it is important to remember that while we do import substantial volume and value of food, we are a very significant exporter of food to over 180 countries. Our exports in 2019 were valued in excess of €14 billion and sustain employment for over 170,000 people. There is a global complexity to the food market to which the Deputy alludes and I accept that consumers are interested in shorter food supply chains but we have certain global advantages in terms of our capacity to produce cer…

I am reminded of Deputy Duncan Smith's comment earlier about people who want to conflate a load of issues to point fingers at people who may have done no wrong. We have the appropriate authorities within the State to inspect and protect workers. As it happens, the HSA is not under the remit of my Department and I am not in a position, nor do I think it is my function or that of the appropriate line Minister, to direct those authorities to do their job in a particular way. They are set up to carry out their function…

I alluded to this point in previous questions. We are aware of six clusters within the meat processing industry. We have direct staff and contracted staff in those operations who work closely with management and the HSE. I am assured that all steps are being taken. The import of the Deputy's question seems to be that management in these companies would in some way jeopardise the ongoing production of their own plant operations. The primary concern in all of these cases is the safety of employees in plants and citiz…

Why am I not surprised?

With regard to the previous issue, the Deputy does not substantiate his allegations but he is prepared to propagate them. That is unfortunate.

I am substantiating the defence insofar as staff from my Department are working in conjunction with management in those plants as well as local HSE officials. There is nothing to suggest the allegation the Deputy is making, whether against those meat plants or any of the aforementioned workplaces, is true.

It is a smear tactic dressed up as concern, which is regrettable.

I am somewhat surprised that Deputy Naughten has followed the path worn by Deputy Carthy, who has left the Chamber, and is advocating for the US model of agriculture. I am staggered by it. US farmers are dumping milk and have seen their beef plants close. At least we have managed to keep milk collected and farmers paid for that milk, albeit there is a price challenge in that regard. Deputy Naughten cited the EU's response. I agree it is inadequate and we continue to make that case, but that inadequacy is on top of …

We will continue to work in the EU with colleagues to try to deliver the best possible deal. As to whether that might be a BEAM 2, we are seeking exceptional aid measures for the livestock sector generally because we foresee difficult challenges ahead for it. We have moved from a situation where the response to countries was to relax state aid rules and tell them to go off and fix it themselves to one where the Commission has shifted ground. We hope it will shift ground more, but if it does not, we are aware of wha…

I am glad to see the Deputy is not.