Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The co-op system is a great model which we should expand across Europe. The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society identified the need for additional support to knowledge share. Will the representatives expand on that? Would it be an advisory type programme or a form of sectoral training? Are they aware of a similar model in another country that could highlight best practice?

I do not want farmers to be the fall guys. We are here in a sense of co-operation. On hedgerows, GLAS was discontinued because the nurseries were unable to meet demand. Importing hedge saplings was not an option as it ran the risk of bringing in plant diseases. There was a failure to guarantee the supply before the scheme was put in place. What needs to be put in place to ensure supply before a scheme of funding is in place and farmers sign up to it?

The demand for protein, be it beef or dairy products, is increasing. If it increases and we stand still, other countries will come in with their imports. We cannot expand any further, however. Teagasc stated the emissions from the cattle population are up and the population is due to increase.

This probably goes against Mr. Healy's product, but what does he think about diversifying and suggesting that we decrease some of our protein intake for our health? In terms of dietary intake, it was popular until the 1950s and 1960s to have meat on the dinner table only twice or three times per week.

I love the quote from Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, INHFA, which states, "We need to rethink how we feed the world, for it is no use doing so at the expense of our land, water, air and biodiversity." What Government supports do those witnesses believe are available to re-skill us to rethink how we feed ourselves and other people? That is in the same vein of diversification. Is there any data on the available Government supports of which the witnesses spoke that reflect positive outcomes?