Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming in this afternoon. It is a helpful engagement. One very strong message is that the witnesses all accept that climate action has to be taken. It may surprise some people who might have had different views about those in the agriculture sector, and it is great that the witnesses are being proactive in their messages this evening and about actions they want to see taken.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine compiled a report on climate change and sustainability in the agrifood sector. Have the farming organisations had a chance to examine the report? It has some good ideas, which were referenced earlier, particularly for agroforestry. Earlier we heard that agroforestry would be a quick win for mitigation measures. We do not expect dairy farms to completely plant mixed plantations. There are 130,000 farmers in this country. Have the organisations considered the possibility of asking each farmer to set aside an acre of land for agroforestry?

Do the organisations think Food Wise 2025 should be reviewed in terms of the pressures the policy puts on farmers to deliver reduced emissions?

Have the organisations considered the carbon taxation models that have been discussed? The British Colombia's fee and dividend model is being considered at present. The model proposes that money would be returned to the rural economy or poorer communities when money is circulated. Do the organisations have a view on that model?

ICOS is in existence for 125 years and I congratulate it on reaching such a milestone. Recently I attended the 50th celebrations for the Arrabawn Co-Operative Society that took place in Birr, County Offaly. Two of the founding members attended the event and it was a great afternoon. Has ICOS put in place a model? Let us say there is a policy that recommends farming co-operatives should get involved in anaerobic digesters or the biofuel industry and models have been designed. If a group of farmers approached the organisation, said they wanted to undertake such projects and have a plan, does the organisation have a funding model available?