Hundreds of farmers are expected to drive through cities, towns and villages across the country this evening as protests continue across the continent.

The new President said that farmers' livelihoods are 'under threat', and believes there has been an 'abject failure' by the government.

Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway, Michael Fitzmaurice made comments at last weeks Oireachtas Agriculture Committee meeting that a negative image of agriculture is being portrayed in the media and in schools.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue announced yesterday that €800,000 will be made available to farmers with this scheme.

Members of the IFA remain at the Horse and Jockey hotel in Tipperary as they demand action from Fianna Fail politicians who are meeting there.

The IFA, Macra and other farm groups picketed the meeting yesterday to discuss the EU changes which will see herds have to be cut or new land secured by many.

The matter was discussed at a meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon MD this week.

The survey was carried out by criminologists aT TU Dublin and the IFA