Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I thank all of you for attending the meeting today.

I have to apologise because some of our members were not here today. They are members of other committees. The abortion issue is being debated today and there is a lot of interest in that. People were disappointed that they could not be here.

We very seldom have people from the agriculture sector at this committee. I appreciate the fact that the witnesses are here today because it is important to hear what they have to say. It is my opinion that small family farms are in great danger. The farming organisations and local and national politicians working together have an important job to do to ensure that in five, ten, 20 or 30 years' time small farmers will be able to exist. We are all practical and sensible and know that they will not be full-time farmers. We would dearly like it if they could be, if they wanted to be but unfortunately it will be a part-time occupation as it is already. People are managing and we want to see the family farm intact and something of worth to be passed on to the next generation. I have come across families who are making the decision about the next generation. Whereas in the past Johnny or Mary would have the hand up hoping it would come to them, now, and it is an awful thing to say, those young people look on being given a farm as a drawback. That is very serious. I want to ensure that will not be the case in the years ahead and that people will be proud and glad and very happy to continue working the land, even on a part-time basis.

The figures in the agricultural colleges are back up. It is like a yo-yo. They were going up and down but they are steady enough at the moment. I have regular contact with them and know what is going on there. The people who are doing the green certificate, whether online or full-time in the college are getting on well and know the importance of it. I compliment the people running those programmes because they give our young people a good sound ordinary grounding and they enjoy it.

I thank the witnesses for their work. There is now a Macra club in Killarney which was never there before. It is nice to see it in an urban area. I was delighted to be present at the launch because I know the parents of the people involved. It is great to see them enjoying a new Macra club. I was a member of Macra in my earlier days. We used to enjoy the outings, there was great camaraderie. I would like to see organisations like that being there forever so that our young lads and the next generation will have the fundamental values we all have.

My views on environmental issues are well-known. I am not going to get into arguments about them. To put in the politest possible way, common sense has to prevail when it comes to environmental issues. The best custodian of the land ever is the person who owns it. That person will never want to do anything to their farm that would downgrade or damage it in any shape or fashion. They will only want to pass it on in better shape, with whatever resources they have.

All the witnesses who spoke were sound in their views and spoke from the heart. I appreciate that. I know they are extremely busy. I and the members of the committee appreciate their coming here today.