Protesting farmers end demonstrations

Hundreds of farmers drove their tractors through Dublin today at the end of a week-long protest.

The farmers from as far as Cork and Kerry in the south, Mayo in the west and Donegal in the north gathered in the capital after travelling in convoys across the Irish Republic since Monday.

Some 300 tractors decorated with flags in county colours were lined up opposite Merrion Square’s government buildings where farmers applauded speeches by leaders of the Irish Farmers’ Association.

Crowds of Dubliners showed their support for the protest against low incomes and the government’s handling of the farmers’ concerns.

Addressing those gathered at the rally IFA president John Dillon thanked the thousands of farmers who had taken part in the week’s demonstrations but had not entered the city to prevent traffic congestion.

He said the protest had succeeded in drawing the attention of agriculture minister Joe Walsh to their complaints.

“Agriculture still counts in this country,” Mr Dillon told the crowds. “Our farming and food sector contributes 20% of Ireland’s net export earnings, 350,000 people – or 20% of all jobs – depend on farming and food.”

He said the average farmer’s income was €15,000 and not €31,000 as claimed by Mr Walsh.

“For too long Minister Walsh has had his head in the clouds while our prices have fallen through the floor,” Mr Dillon said.

After the rally farmers returned to their tractors which were parked four-deep around the city centre square, and for three minutes revved their engines and sounded their horns in applause at the speeches.

“We will let the government hear the roar of our engines and the strength of our determination,” an IFA speaker announced.

Farmers made the final leg of their journey in six “tractorcades” this morning.

They carried banners with slogans including “Minister Walsh I’m dizzy from the spin spin spin“, “Goodbye Joe, you are the weakest link” and “Bertie our bowl is empty” in reference to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s bid to build a stadium dubbed the Bertie Bowl.

Gardai and the Irish AA said minimum traffic congestion was caused by the protest.

Garda escorts accompanied the convoys in and out of the city, while a police helicopter surveyed the area throughout.

Last night the Government released a statement emphasising its commitment to the future of the farming sector.

It said it acknowledged the concerns that had prompted the protest, but that dialogue would be the best way to resolve them.

However, speaking before the protest Mr Dillon said the government would have to make sure certain “barometers” were in place before talks could be held.

He said: “We will be prepared to talk to Joe Walsh as soon as he is prepared to accept, to recognise our problem, and is prepared to come up with a concrete proposal and a plan to deal with the situation.”

The IFA is famous for its highly publicised demonstrations in Ireland.

In one protest a flock of sheep was led down Dublin’s Kildare Street and let loose in the lobby of the agriculture department.

Another demonstration consisted of farmers entering a supermarket and removing all the New Zealand lamb from its shelves, forcing the chain into a policy U-turn.