Government Ministers have been confronted by protesting farmers who want a Brexit support package.
An Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) protest is taking place outside a special Cabinet meeting in Cork City Hall.
This week's Cabinet meeting is happening in the city as the Taoiseach continues campaigning for directly elected mayors in Cork, Limerick and Waterford.
However, ministers attending today's meeting had to run a gauntlet of angry farmers as they arrived.
Leo Varadkar jeered by protesting farmers as he arrives for this morning’s cabinet meeting.
“Where’s the beef ya vegan ya” was my personal favourite shout pic.twitter.com/8qjjsCwKwQ— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) May 1, 2019
IFA President Joe Healy suggested Brexit will bankrupt some if there's not immediate action.
He argued that farmers are angry with the inaction from the Government and the European Commission
Mr Healy said: “Today we are sending a strong message to the Government that farmers are rebelling against inaction.
"The Minister for Agriculture has been standing idly by, adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach. This is not good enough.
"Farmers have already taken a huge hit from Brexit related losses. They need help now."
Responding to the protest, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar insisted the Government is in negotiations with Europe for more support.
He argued: "I totally understand that the situation is really bad for beef farmers.
"At the same time, anything we do is taxpayers' money... the farmers already receive income supports much greater than almost any industry in the country."
Farming is among the issues on the agenda at today's Cabinet meeting, as are proposed new laws around the sharing of intimate images without consent.
Later, the Taoiseach will canvas in Cork for a Yes vote in the upcoming plebiscite on having a directly elected mayor for the city.
