MR Larry Goodman was strongly defended by Mr Feargal Quinn (ind), who declared that the beef industry cannot thrive if it and one of its main players is "constantly sniped at by people on the sidelines."

Mr Quinn singled out the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, for his recent remarks that "he would shed no tears if Larry Goodman left the beef industry."

He continued, "Let me speak from the experience of a major buyer of Irish beef and as one who, as part of a European grouping, has introduced supermarket groups right across Europe to Irish suppliers of beef. I would be very sorry indeed to see Larry Goodman leave the Irish beef industry.

"In my experience and in the experience of my European colleagues, his company provides a level of professionalism and an ability to address the concerns of the customer that is quite exceptional in the industry".

Mr Quinn was speaking on the second stage of the Bovine Diseases (Levies) (Amendment) Bill, 1995, which was introduced in the House by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Mr Jimmy Deenihan.

The main purpose of the Bill is to provide a legal basis for the payment of levies on cattle exported from the State direct to the Minister. It also provides for increased fines under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1966.

The Bill passed all stages.

Mr Quinn said that in common with every other taxpayer he was annoyed and apprehensive that the country is probably going to have to pay £100 million in fines to the EU as a result of irregularities in the beef industry.

He went on: "However, I think we have to be careful that in venting our frustration we don't inflict on ourselves the added pain of shooting ourselves in the foot.

"If we look to the future, not just the past, we should realise that the beef industry must remain a tremendously important force in our economy. Our ability to sell beef abroad, particularly to the premium markets in Europe is crucially important to our economic well being. We are talking about massive industry.

"I have a concern, therefore, about attacks that have been made on one of the main players in that industry. Let me say that I have no wish whatever to defend any of the malpractice that certainly did take place and which were uncovered at such great expense by the beef tribunal.

However, we need this industry in the future. We should make sure it puts its house in order. We should dole out whatever punishment is necessary and then we should be ready to move on.

"Our beef industry cannot thrive if it is going to be constantly sniped at by people on the sidelines.

Mr Jim Townsend (Lab) said amazement was often expressed that while TB had been dealt with in humans in the 1950s, it was still a major problem in animals some 40 years later. Some £1,000 million had been spent in that time and there was still no light at the end of the tunnel.

"It is only fair to say that while the State spent huge sums of money on its eradication, many farmers were financially ruined and devastated.