Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We understand that. We are all in the same boat and we know that there is this need. We are advocates here, and we are partners with the witnesses. We are not at odds. Again, it would be helpful for the committee if the IFA could set out what it is proposing. We have our own context, politically, in this place. The IFA needs to crystallise the ask. I always say that we need clarity, and for the ask to be crystallised. It would be helpful for the committee if the witnesses could set it out now, in the short term. We are in the season now. That would be helpful and the IFA might follow that up with the committee in order that we can advocate for that.

On peat availability, this is a difficult one for me. On this committee, we have advocated strongly for peat and the whole issue around peat for one or two years. Regardless of the Green Party having capitulated, we do not have a lot of support. We have found it difficult to engage politically with the relevant Ministers responsible in this area, and that is no big secret for anyone in this room. However, it appears that the mushroom industry is getting by. I would like to be able to have more details to make a more convincing argument on peat. I agree that the mushroom sector is a very successful one. One can walk into a high street in London and eat or buy Irish mushrooms today. It is fantastic. It is an amazing industry, with every store in there. We have an amazing industry and we need to grow it. It is like everything that Mr. Rushe said earlier. Once we get out of the production and get out of the way of doing business and get out of the plant and out of the processes, can the witnesses share with us what the current issue is regarding the peat crisis? Has it impacted, in terms of figures? Let us get clarity here in terms of production, output and the industry. Can they tell us where we are now on the lack of peat industry, specifically with regard to mushrooms? The mushroom industry is an area I am particularly concerned about.