Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives from Macra na Feirme. I put on record at the outset that I refute the allegations that the agricultural budget was cut in yesterday's budget. While the Vote figure might be less than it was in previous years, previous years included BAR and Ukrainian aid funding which were one-off costs but the actual overall agricultural budget has increased.

As the young farmers' representatives, what appetite is among Macra na Feirme's membership, if they are already there, for remaining in the horticulture sector or maybe even for new people going into horticulture? Is the appetite there? From what we read and hear, dairy is the buzz thing at the moment. I know and appreciate how hard it is to get young people to go into any sector of agriculture or horticulture but those who are going in seem, from all reports, to be angling towards the dairy sector. Is there an appetite there for people to get into the horticulture side of things and does Macra na Feirme represent many people who are horticulturists?

It was mentioned in the committee earlier that we do not eat enough fruit and vegetables as a nation. The millennials were mentioned. The representatives do not have to verify if they fit that category but they have a better chance of being in it than I do. It was stated that this generation in particular are not fruit and vegetable eaters. Whereas we have spoken already about the influence Macra na Feirme can have with regards to tackling food waste, has the organisation a role to play to promote, among its own generation or age group or among younger people, the consumption of fruit and vegetables? If it was to go out in the morning to try to persuade its membership to get into horticulture, what would its key asks from the Government be to make that journey more accessible and easier for its membership?