Lest the Minister wonder why a Deputy from Cork South-Central should speak on BSE and the difficulties manifesting themselves in the beef trade in Cork, Tipperary and Monaghan, let me remind him that my constituency has a rural hinterland. I sympathise with the dilemma in which the Minister finds himself, but he must accept that much of it is of his own making. He is obviously aware that he is the subject of quips in bars around the country. It has been suggested, for example, that given the Minister's party was involved in the deal partitioning this country in the first place, it is ironic that a Fine Gael Minister should have accepted further partitioning of the country by accepting the Russian beef deal.
Fianna Fáil can legitimately claim that from 20 March the Minister was being asked whether there was a problem with the Russian deal and indicated there was none. The Minister also must accept that we sought a more concentrated and concerted effort to deal with the difficulties, of which our spokespersons were aware, but there was no cohesion in the Government to ensure this was made. It is galling when this country currently holds the Presidency of the EU, an extremely powerful position. It is particularly galling, given the Tánaiste's travels around the world, that when this problem came to the fore he made no effort to visit Russia to deal with it on a political level. The Taoiseach as President of the EU did not have the interests of this country at heart when he could not ensure that a visit to Russia was included in his itinerary so that he could look after this country's major industry by meeting his counterparts in Russia. It is important to realise that the Russian economy is very dependent on the EU for funds to modernise its industry and agriculture. It is fair to say the Russians were bargaining from a weak position, given the amount of funds being poured into that country by the EU.
I listened to the Minister on "Questions and Answers" last night. He was rather facile about the difficulties in monitoring BSE in Cork, Monaghan and Tipperary. His comment was, in effect, "you can take it in one door and we can put it out the other". It is not that easy; it will be almost impossible to monitor. We are left with a real dilemma. How will this further partitioning of the country be governed by the Minister and his Department?
One of the today's national newspapers stated that, in giving way to Russia on this issue, we will have problems with Libya and other markets. If those countries see that Russia has succeeded in banning beef imports from three counties in Ireland, is it not logical that they will demand something similar if veterinary surgeons from their countries deem it the appropriate course of action to assuage the concerns of their consumers? Has the Minister not dug a hole for himself, the Government and the country? Is he not likely to have to dig deeper as a result of his decision?
I accept that the gun was put to the Minister's head on the tarmac at Dublin Airport and that he had to make a decision. Being a bookmaker, it is understandable that he opted to offset the odds and take what he could, giving little thought to the dire consequences for the beef industry in the three counties concerned. Today I spoke to a meat wholesaler from Cork. He is concerned because the shop owners he supplies are asking him where his meat is sourced. If that question is being asked by retailers, the question is also being asked of the retailers by consumers. Not only do we have a difficulty with the Russian market, but an extremely sensitive situation could arise in this country with regard to the three counties. I hope it will not happen.
If the Minister has no difficulty with the beef from the three counties, he should have held his ground. He should have ensured the veterinary surgeon would not be able to decide for his Government. He should have asked for further discussions with senior personnel in the Russian Government. That was the main mistake. Two mistakes were made. During the preceding period the Government and the Taoiseach had not done their homework. In the final analysis, the Minister blinked when the water pistol was put to his head. I am sorry he did that.
The policy of divide and conquer has always been a disaster and I am sorry it was adopted in this instance. I envisage a problem arising with cattle prices. The Minister might say the price of cattle remained stable last Monday, but he cannot give a guarantee that it will remain stable in the marts in Cork, Tipperary and Monaghan over the next few weeks.
In digging a hole for himself, the Minister has endangered a most important industry. Our fear is that he will dig that hole deeper. The concerted effort and performance currently required is not evident in the Government. I listened to the Minister for Social Welfare, Prionsias De Rossa, speaking on television last Sunday night. His attitude was that the farmers are rolling it in. His remarks offered us a perception of the animosity in Democratic Left to the farming community and the major contribution it makes to the economy.
It is a sad day for the farmers in Cork. Fine Gael Deputies from that county are having a harrowing time and I am not surprised. I am sorry for them; it is a difficult situation but they deserve it. Their chagrin should be addressed to the Minister.
I wish to share the remainder of my time with Deputies Kirk and Davern.