Mr. Paul O'Brien:

I thank the Deputy. The IFA is not a climate denier. We have never said we are not prepared to do anything or encourage our members to go in a certain direction but, clearly, this is multifaceted. This approach has to include rural economies. Farmers must still have a level of viability in future. I want to clearly state that. If farmers wish to rewet their farm and reinstate their land, that is entirely up to them. I will defend their interests and ability to do that, if they so wish. However, they have to go in with clear knowledge of what they are doing and what is expected of them. That is the first thing.

As I said, this has to come with an ability for farmers to still be able to have a respectable living in the future. If it is being requested of them that they reduce their farming activity and I am not sure, even after listening to all the debates, about how much farming activity will still be allowed on these types of soils or on these farms, what is the economic sustainability of that farm going forward?