Further contacts are expected today between the Irish and British ministers for agriculture who met in London yesterday to seek a resolution to the blockading of UK west coast ports against Irish beef imports.
Following their meeting in Whitehall yesterday, the British Agriculture Minister, Dr Jack Cunningham, said that irrespective of the circumstances, law and order must be upheld.
He undertook to contact the Welsh Secretary, Mr Ron Davies, to ensure that everything possible was done at the ports to bring an end to the unacceptable behaviour of the protesters.
He promised to speak to the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, and to report back to Mr Walsh on the outcome of those discussions.
After the meeting, Dr Cunningham insisted the protesters were "short-sighted" if they could not see the damage they were doing to Britain's reputation in Europe.
"When French lorry drivers were blockading French ports farmers here were the first to complain, rightly so, that their interests were being affected," he said.
"I think the farmers are now damaging their own interests. They risk losing both a staunch ally and supporter in Ireland, although I'm pleased and grateful Joe Walsh said to me this would not undermine their support."
He said his discussion with the Minister for Agriculture, who had flown to London to express his concern at the situation, had been "cordial but nevertheless frank".
"Joe has left me in no doubt about the strength of feeling in the Republic of Ireland about the illegal blockading of legitimate trade," said Dr Cunningham.
"I'm perfectly satisfied that he has a very strong case."
He said he had agreed to discuss possible action with Mr Blair and other Ministers, and report back to Mr Walsh as soon as possible.
Asked about what measures could be taken, he said: "We are, of course, not able to take decisions on behalf of the police, but clearly the police have a role to play here."
In a statement issued after the meeting, Mr Walsh said he had strongly impressed on his UK counterpart the very serious effect the blockades were having on legitimate trade and asked that everything possible be done to ensure that Irish exports continue unimpeded.
He stressed to Dr Cunningham the importance of the UK market to the Irish beef industry. It was a traditional market which had been built up over a very long time and one which Irish exporters served in an orderly and consistent fashion.
He said he had told Dr Cunningham that whatever economic difficulties were being experienced by UK farmers, the action being taken was contrary to the principles of the Single Market.