Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman and apologise, as I had difficulty unmuting my microphone. I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their submissions, which are all quite self-explanatory. In view of the fact that we are meeting the Department immediately after this meeting, I have one brief question which I would ask as many of the representatives as possible to elaborate upon. This is a follow-up on Deputy Flaherty’s question, namely, what would our witnesses like us to bring to the Department? What are their proposals here with a view to tackling climate change and maintaining productivity? We have all seen the hardship that the mushroom industry went through when Brexit was first mooted. The mushroom industry was the first casualty. It overcame and rode out that storm and is one of the most productive of the food industries which exports into the UK.

In order to keep these markets going, can I have some brief answers on whether peat is being imported at the moment? We are hearing about peat coming into the country or is it the case that peat may have to come into the country? For the purposes of this discussion, if that were to happen or if it is happening, are there any quality issues in this regard? We are all aware of the ludicrousness of the situation but can such imports do the same job? Are we cutting off our nose to spite our face here?

With a view to the committee's upcoming engagement with the Department, I would like more feedback from the witnesses on what committee members can hit the Department with on their behalf and the alternatives they propose. Bearing climate change in mind, all present know the solution to this problem is the straightforward, simple, common-sense approach of carrying on as we are. The carbon footprint of imports alone is ludicrous. I would like to hear a little more from the witnesses with a view to the committee meeting the Department in the next session.