Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all live on the one island, and whether we come from Castleknock or west of the Corrib, we all have a stake in the island and it is important to say this. It is clear that farmers need to be able to make a living. This is massively true. It is also clear the flora and fauna of this country have been hammered massively. Even in the past generation, there has been a radical change from where we were in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s with regard to the biodiversity of the country. This is also a major point. In my view, it is clear there is a lot of combat in this particular space. I am not speaking about the room but the ideas and views on this issue. We probably need to come at this far more from a position of partnership if we can in future. The Bill will not go near any of the difficulties that are being experienced by hill farmers and lowland farmers, and far more work needs to be done to fix the issues the witnesses have been considering.

I thank the witnesses very much for their presentations today, and the contribution they have made to the debate. We appreciate them coming along.