Ms Marie Donnelly:

Our analysis on the agricultural side is a techno-economic one that is basically the Teagasc marginal abatement cost curve one looking at the measures that can be taken to achieve emission reductions. We have also been in dialogue on the just transition side and had conversations with agricultural activists and representatives about the impact of agriculture in localities. We are aware from the Teagasc income survey that comes out every year of the average earning per hectare per farm for dairy, beef or tillage farming. We are aware that in many instances, beef farmers in Ireland are reliant on the grant system. Some economists have even asked whether it makes sense. The reality is that within a rural community, those grants are funding the community. They are making the money spin through the community and are important, not just to the individual farmer but to the local community. This is an integral part of the just transition. We can come with theoretical solutions or even technological solutions that can work but before we make choices, we must understand the implications for people's lives and society in general. That is one of the areas we have looked at as part of the analysis.