Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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I am very concerned. I am even more concerned about what Ms Doyle mentioned, namely the agricultural sector and how it impacts on the environment. Farmers and farming families have worked consistently to make the relevant changes. They have bent over backwards and are not being rewarded for doing so. There is no substitution for direct engagement with stakeholders. There should have been more respect for the farming community. It was invited to make submissions, but that is not a substitute for direct engagement.

Large farming organisations represent tens of thousands of farmers across the State. There are 117,000 jobs in our agricultural sector. They are facts. Time and time again, the farming community has stated that it is willing to play its part. However, it is unfair to constantly put the spotlight on the impact agriculture has on climate action when farmers and farming organisations have said quite clearly that they will play their part. I am not convinced by what has been said. Respect should have been shown and there should have been direct engagement with all of the stakeholders, rather than a fluffy process of making submissions. I do not think that cuts it.

I do not think many schools will accept this. There are schools in rural areas in this country where everything relies on farming, including the local economy in my county, Offaly, which has a rural economy. Teachers and leaders in schools will be pragmatic. All we are looking for is a balanced and fair approach. The agricultural science programme sufficiently covers the environmental aspect. Why overload the curriculum? Why put schools under the pressure of taking on another subject? I do not see the logic or rationale for this. My son studies agricultural science for the leaving certificate and I have seen the textbooks, which already adequately cover the environment. Why put more into the curriculum? Is that not indoctrination? In my view, it is. I would be very cross as a parent if it was and if I was still a teacher, I would still reject it outright.