Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I thank the witnesses for coming in. We appreciate the great work they are doing for the farming community. I have two questions. What gaps are there in the provision of access to knowledge for farmers due to the State's exclusion of independent agricultural consultants from the water quality programme and the EIPs? How many applications have been made to the Farming for Water EIP 2024-2027 so far? Do they believe they will hit our targets if the current model continues? What do they believe would happen if private advisers are permitted to prepare plans on behalf of their clients?