Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for the briefing. I apologise for being delayed. It was unavoidable this morning because with counting resuming at some centres, I had to be there. Was there any consultation with farming organisations in relation to this programme? I expressed serious concern about the fact that the draft text did not include the words "farming" or "farmer". I am concerned because I come from a rural county where the economy is heavily reliant on the agriculture sector. Indeed, nationally we are still reliant on the agriculture sector. That is a fact. I am very concerned that there could be a negative portrayal of agriculture. The reason I say this is that there are references to agriculture in the context of biodiversity and also agricultural intensification. This leads me to believe that it is directly aimed at dairy farming. I really am concerned because we need common sense to prevail. We cannot have a situation where the climate action programme laid out in front of students, many of whom come from an agricultural background, is going to cause climate alarmism or indoctrination, as many would see it. My burning question is this. Was there consultation with the representatives of the farming organisations? If not, I hope that urgent provision will be made to engage with the farming organisations.