Mr. Pat McCormack:

In response to Deputy Collins, there was a serious deficit as regards consultation with the various stakeholders. As regards a cost analysis, as I said in response to Deputy Carthy, we need to see an impact assessment in place because it has a huge impact on the potential viability of a farm for the future generations, or maybe for a period of time where there needs to be an income for both generations in advance of a transfer.

As regards Senator Daly's question on food security and food production both within Ireland and the EU, we have seen over the last couple of years, initially with Covid and then with war in Ukraine, that food security was an issue. It was the one thing that was scarce on the shelves in our shops and supermarkets. It would potentially have a huge impact on our ability as a nation, as primary producers initially, to maintain production or output. It would not be possible. Given that we are facing two barrels as regards nitrates and the nitrates regulations, this cannot be taken as a single entity. It would impact our ability to produce. That would undermine the viability of our processors, whether it is dairy, beef, lamb, etc.

We have huge ambition, a huge target and huge aspiration as regards delivering from an environmental perspective in terms of planting of forestry. I see this as a complete and utter pick-pocketing of the opportunity to deliver forestry plantations. It will absolutely cease the planting of land. I do not know whether or not my colleague, Mr. John Enright, wants to comment.