Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the IFA for its presentation to the committee this afternoon. It was very helpful. We all know that farming has been through a difficult few years in terms of commodity prices and weather conditions. In terms of Brexit, the IFA president, Mr. Healy, has pointed to the importance of a positive trading relationship with the UK and the retention of a strong CAP budget as essential if we are to ensure that we have a vibrant agricultural sector. During last week's meeting of the committee we heard that over 90% of farmers in Roscommon have been paid their basic payment, in respect of which over €25 million was paid out. Seventy per cent of basic payment scheme payments were paid out last week. This is important in the sense that it allows farmers to pay their bills, which in turns feeds into ensuring the vibrancy of communities. The introduction of preliminary checks in respect of the basic payment scheme is positive. The objective of this measure is to ensure farmers are not continuously penalised, which is important. The move to online application has also helped. However, this feeds into our conversation around broadband. In my own county of Roscommon the IFA has been very influential in assisting farmers in gaining access to educational programmes to ensure they become more online savvy, which is very important. In this regard, the IFA has been working closely with Teagasc and the Roscommon Leader Partnership. These educational programmes are important in the context of the move to online trading, which is necessary these days.

I wish to raise a number of issues. The budget was positive, in the sense that there was an amendment to the income averaging system to assist with cashflow pressures. The interest rate of 3% for low-cost borrowing is very important. My conversations with the IFA centred on access to finance, which was a major issue. It is positive that we are beginning to see practical measures to assist farmers.

Obviously, we face significant challenges. As a member of Macra na Feirme, I know there are challenges in encouraging young farmers to take on the occupation of farming. Measures have been introduced, but a lot more needs to be done to encourage young farmers into the sector. Access to finance has been an issue. Alongside that, the discussions we have had on off-farm income are important. We need to try to create better job opportunities in rural areas to supplement farm incomes.

The issue of hedge cutting is due to be debated in the Seanad over the next two weeks or so. I am aware the IFA wants to ensure we bring forward the hedge cutting date by one month. It would seem to be a very practical measure, in terms of contributing to better hedgerow management and trying to address safety concerns as it is confined to periods where daylight hours have been reduced. I take on board what was presented on the concerns around hedge cutting.

Bigger challenges have been mentioned, namely, broadband infrastructure, modernisation and ensuring that services are in place to support communities. As a young person living in a rural area and coming from a farming background, I know there are major positives. Rural Ireland offers a very good quality of life and its potential is untapped. We need to be constructive, but also practical and positive about the positive elements of rural life.

Litter is a bugbear of mine. While I agree with the penalties, until there is mobile CCTV we will not deal with the issue. It needs to hit people where it hurts, which is in the pocket. I am involved with the Tidy Towns committee in my local area and it is extremely frustrating. We need to move to a situation where mobile CCTV targets blackspot areas and penalties are imposed on those who do not abide by the law.

I am very supportive of greenway projects, which have assisted in the development of tourism. There has been a large amount of co-operation from landowners, which has been positive. We know there are some challenges with certain greenway projects but where they have worked, they have been very positive in attracting people to areas and increasing footfall in communities.

I thank the witnesses for their contributions and look forward to continuing to work with the IFA. It has a significant amount to offer, not just within the agricultural sector but also in terms of its input in the wider picture.

Reference was made to the CEDRA report. An action plan for rural Ireland is currently being developed. It is very important that the IFA plays an active role in the development of that action plan. By their nature, farmers and farming are very much embedded within the greater community.