Thousands of angry farmers took to the streets of Dublin yesterday chanting for the resignation of the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, for what they claim is his inaction in helping resolve a major income crisis in the industry.
There was severe traffic disruption for over an hour when a group of Wexford farmers staged a spontaneous sit-down on St Stephen's Green as the farmers were making their way to the front of the Department of Agriculture buildings on Kildare Street.
There was a furious argument between the IFA president, Mr Tom Parlon, and the Wexford men who refused to move from their position despite a plea from Mr Parlon.
The group also rounded on the IFA general secretary, Mr Michael Berkery, and said they were better off "sitting on the street than listening to the suits making speeches".
The group refused to move for 15 minutes, and many of the 5,000 farmers on the march sat down in support of them. Their anger set the mood for the day.
Mr Parlon promised the Government "a winter of discontent" and urged farmers to block the doorway to the Department for a time to show their discontent.
"This is only a warning shot. Irish farmers are fed up to the teeth being abused and losing money and they will eventually respond to that kind of treatment," he said.
"The mood is changing in rural Ireland. It has changed from frustration and despair to anger. Farmers will no longer accept Government inaction," said Mr Parlon.
"The crisis in farming today requires the direct involvement of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. As soon as Bertie Ahern returns from China, I will be demanding an urgent summit meeting," he said.
Depending on the Government's response, I may have to call you back on to the streets again. I know you will come, if it is necessary. The onus is now squarely on the Government's shoulders to deliver," he said.
Earlier, other speakers had mapped out the extent of the crisis. Mr Michael Holmes of the IFA's sheep committee said farmers were now selling 25kg lambs for as little as £7 each and cull ewes could not be sold at all.
The IFA grain committee chairman, Mr Ruaidhri Deasy, said the weather had created havoc with grain crops this year and in some areas nearly 50 per cent of the spring crop had not been saved.
The IFA pigmeat committee chairman, Mr Liam Ryan, said pig farmers were going out of business daily as they could not continue to produce at a loss.
Mr Raymond O'Malley of the Livestock Committee said farmers could not continue to produce beef for 80p a lb, the lowest price in 25 years.