Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
1455. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the latest attempts to reconvene beef talks with all stakeholders; and the efforts taken since protests started to find a resolution to the impasse. [36827/19]
View answerI share the Deputy's concerns about the ongoing serious difficulties facing the beef sector.
There has been significant engagement with stakeholders throughout the duration of this dispute and I believe that there is now a basis for the renewal of talks between the parties. These talks have been scheduled for next Monday 9th September.
We have reached a point where it is critically important for the future of the sector that stakeholders engage in a spirit of compromise to resolve a dispute that has the potential to inflict long term damage on the sector if it continues. It is clear that this can only happen if processors and protestors step back from Court proceedings and illegal blockades, in order to allow space for meaningful talks to proceed.
