Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Sometimes we are much too hard on ourselves. Ireland is leading the way in some areas. The beef data and genomics scheme is probably the most innovative step taken in agriculture anywhere in the world. I have been surprised by the number of ministers from abroad who have asked me about this scheme. The initiative taken by the Environmental Protection Agency on smart farming is putting cash in farmers' hands. On average, farmers in the scheme are saving €5,000 per annum, which is having a direct impact on the environment. On the basis of the work done by successive Governments in the area of energy efficiency, the International Energy Agency has asked me, on behalf of Ireland, to be the keynote speaker in June. In addition, the United States and many other countries are examining how our electricity grid operates. We should not always take a negative view because we are setting the agenda in some areas. I acknowledge, however, that we have a great deal of work to do, including on transport.

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