Taoiseach urges farmers to reconsider position

FARM leaders who hoped Taoiseach Bertie Ahern would rescue their stalled social partnership talks have suffered a setback.

Claiming the proposals on the table do not meet their demands, they had sought a positive response from Mr Ahern to ensure their continuation in the process. But the Taoiseach has strongly defended the Government’s proposals.

Speaking at a Fianna Fáil function at Maam Cross, Co Galway at the weekend, Mr Ahern said the offer made to the farm organisations is both generous and creative in the context of budgetary realities.

“I very much regret that the farm organisations do not consider it possible to recommend the text, which includes a paper on agricultural issues, to their members,” he said.

Mr Ahern said the contribution of farmers to the social partnership process over the years has been significant. He understood they had expectations of specific commitments being made at this time, in the light of the difficult years which most full-time farmers have experienced.

“The very difficult position at present has not made agreement on these issues possible at this stage. However, I hope that they will reconsider their position and see the merit of remaining within the framework of social partnership to advance their objectives,” Mr Ahern said.

He asked the farm organisations to bear in mind that it is in the national interest that there be no return to the days of mass Government borrowing. By ensuring social partnership is sustained and renewed, the farming organisations can play their part in safeguarding our economic prospects at time of international uncertainty, he added.

“This, of course, is of major importance to farmers as it is to other sectors and will result in further economic growth and lower rates of interest and inflation at a later stage.” he said.