Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Okay. Moving on, farmers are strongly focused on environmental matters and, in fairness, the Minister has echoed and reinforced that in his comments here today in terms of investing in sustainable products, services and farm practices. We all know that and I have seen it at first hand through the agricultural and horticultural Teagasc training and education centres. There is a real move, particularly with young farmers but with all farmers, to engage with sustainable environmental practices. These things take time, and that is the essence of what I am saying. A change takes time. One of the strongest arguments is that the efforts that have been made take time to kick in, so maybe we do not fully know the results of changes that have been initiated, and the Cathaoirleach has made that point strongly in all of his discussions around this area.

This has been recognised in regard to the transition. I want to leave the Minister with a very important argument. Transition has social, environmental, economic and financial implications and impacts, and that is something we have to guard against. I am not convinced that a strong enough case has been made by Ireland through the Commission, the environment Commissioner and others in terms of the overall impact, the financial impact, the environmental impact and the social impact of all of this. In the lead-up to the discussions about the European Green Deal, the case was made very strongly, and I know Ireland made a strong case, that we must take on board the environmental, financial and social aspects of this. I think that is where we have lost our way a bit.

Agri-politics is in a very precarious state in Ireland. There are many people who are vexed and agitated and many who do not feel they are getting a fair or decent deal. It is about livelihoods, homes, income and sustainability, because if these places are not economically viable or sustainable, they are not going anywhere.

We have the best chance of making a strong case at the levels of the environmental, social, financial and economic. That is where a case should be made.

Farmers want the derogation changed. What is the Minister's take on that? Is there any movement on that? Is it possible to negotiate an extension to address environmental, financial and social concerns? I ask because these aspects will dictate whether these very successful farms can remain viable and stay in business.