Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests very much for their presentations. Professor Matthews has pointed to the reimagining of our agriculture industry as opposed to mere management of the new regulations. I believe he is looking at a new departure for agricultural incentives. As he points out, they are critical. Does he believe that the State is giving enough attention to this reimagining and to assisting our farmers not only in reaching targets but in adopting a new approach? What does he have to say about the need for direct measures as opposed to the diffuse approach we have? Does he see an appetite in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to direct our farmers in these measures in a clear way and to adopt a curative approach to emissions as opposed to telling them they will just have to take their medicine and accept that this is what has been meted out by the Paris Agreement?

I also have a general question for Ms O'Neill. Part of the success of Stop Climate Chaos relies on its narrative or message and the way it is delivered. Does she believe we should move away from talking about degrees and emissions and towards showing what the new status quoresulting from increased emissions will look like locally in our communities as well as across the world? Does she believe enough assistance is being given to farmers with regard to diversification? Does she believe there is the courage to confront the need for transformation as opposed to just tweaking things? I have more questions so I will be putting my hand up for the next round as well.