The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has openly criticised the British Prime Minister for demanding cuts in EU farm spending.
Mr Ahern made a strong defence of the Common Agricultural Policy at an agricultural show in Piltown, Co Kilkenny, today.
He said Tony Blair was wrong on the issue, and said he was personally annoyed at the Prime Minister's presentation which was neither true nor factual.
Over the past few months, Mr Blair has led criticism of the amount of money the EU spends on agriculture.
The Taoiseach said a brazen attempt was underway to undo a deal with farmers that is only just being implemented.
He said it was a bogus and dishonest argument to suggest that farm spending is the cause of the problems with the EU budget.
The Irish Farmers' Association has welcomed what it describes as the strong rebuttal by the Taoiseach of attacks on EU farm and rural policy.
