Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will reply to one or two points. The IFA has my support unequivocally. We have an agricultural panel in this Seanad, which always reminds me of how engaged our agricultural bodies are with that panel. It always strikes me. I acknowledge the enormous work of the agriculture members on the panel who are present, including Senators Tim Lombard, Paul Daly and others, who work exceptionally hard. I actively engage with them. They are representing agriculture in the Seanad on panels that the IFA has a major influence on. I believe it can use them.

I will make an ask of the IFA because it is important to make asks of all of us, to assist us in getting the three Ministers who represent three rural communities and the IFA's membership in those three constituencies in front of the committee. We are talking about Laois-Offaly, Donegal and Kildare. I ask the IFA to use its influence and, by Golly, it has influence in the media, including the Irish Farmers Journaland other publications. I would like it to use those publications; I understand the IFA is a stakeholder in the Irish Farmers Journal. It might use that influence to put pressure on the three Ministers to support us in our fight to support farmers. I look forward to running to the Oireachtas Library and Research Service next Thursday to see that. The deadline might be too tight for this week, but I want to see the IFA supporting us to get these Ministers in front of the committee so we can hold them to account for the IFA and the industry.

Ms Brennan might like to touch on the seriousness of the peat issue.