Mr. Seán Finan:

Our work is varied but our lobbying function is a very significant element.

Senator Maura Hopkins spoke of involvement with rural communities and the Know Your Neighbour campaign, in association with Calor Gas. That is a very important campaign which we have rolled out for the last 11 years to promote interaction at a community level. Our clubs right across the country are actively engaged in all aspects of community involvement. They are delivering and are working with other organisations. Indeed, we are providing members for other organisations once they have finished their involvement with Macra na Feirme.

In response to the question about where we came from, Macra na Feirme was founded in 1944 by Stephen Cullinan and a number of agricultural science teachers to provide practical education to young farmers. The organisation has evolved over the years and it now focuses on the education and development of both young farmers and young people more generally. Macra na Feirme provides skills for young people in the industry so that they can better their own lives. They use those skills to provide meaningful service to their local communities in whatever way they can.

I think I have addressed the questions posed and I look forward to engaging again with the committee at a future date.