Mr. Tim Cullinan:

Farmers want to be central players in Ireland's energy transition. They recognise the opportunities offered by renewable energy to produce energy for their own use, but also to diversify their farm income by selling excess energy to the grid or network, thereby enhancing the sustainability of their farm business. The single biggest barrier to meeting the climate action targets is the financial vulnerability of many farms. Financial vulnerability has a large impact on the ability of farmers to adopt more sustainable practices, as it limits their ability to test new practices and stifles innovation due to financial constraints. Creating a viable alternative revenue stream for farmers is vital if the sector is to reduce emissions without negatively impacting the rural economy. Agriculture is a major part of the solution to climate change and with appropriate supports can continue to innovate and support Ireland's transition to a low-carbon and climate-neutral economy.