Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I have a statement and three questions for the Minister.

Thus far, not only has the State’s response to the climate crisis been wholly inadequate, the manner in which it has been carried out has created fear. It has made farming and fishing communities fearful of climate action. I often end up asking the question as to whether farmers should be more worried about climate action or climate change.

I am interested to know what the Minister thinks.

We need action and it will require determination, vision and leadership. A business-as-usual approach simply is not working. Ireland is failing to meet its emissions targets and the annual transition statement is a clear signal that the Department is not about to change its approach. I have learned that when it comes to climate action and the Minister's Department, there are three important points to highlight. First, the Government and vested interests portray climate action as a cliff edge for farmers and fishing communities. Ministers stating that a reduction in emissions will "decimate" Irish farms adds to the false narrative that change will have a negative impact on our livelihoods. As a farmer and a scientist, this is incredibly disappointing. Farmers and fishing communities need to be treated with respect, not fed platitudes. Changes in the sector are inevitable. The first step in solving any problem is recognising there is one. Climate action has to be understood and pursued as a necessity and an opportunity. A just transition can and should be at the centre of all climate policy and farmers need that reassurance. Second, it is necessary to highlight that emission efficiency is not the same as reducing emissions. The emphasis on efficiency instead of overall reduction of emissions is failing, and failing fast. Ireland's 2020 emissions target was a 20% reduction. The Minister's statement tells us it is going to be 6% at best. Efficiencies will not help farms about to face another drought. Third, I have learned that when the Government refers to things like ambitious targets for all-of-government climate action and does not follow it up with specific ambitious actions, that is just paying lip service and is another slap in the face for the next generation of farmers.

I have three examples which illustrate issues with the current approach. The first concerns valuing sustainability. Last Monday was World Oceans Day, an opportunity to celebrate the role that oceans play in our lives and to recognise the damage global economic systems are doing to them. As a coastal constituency, in west Cork we know the sea is an amazing natural resource that supports our tourism and fishing sectors. It is essential that we ensure the sea is respected. Unfortunately, we need only look at all the litter and pollution on our beaches and overfishing by supertrawlers to realise this is not the case.

We need to support sustainable, small-scale fishing. To do that we need to immediately address the lack of basic infrastructure for such fishing. Too many small piers dotted around our coastline and islands are falling into disrepair and lack basic amenities like slipways. They urgently need investment to preserve the livelihood of local families and the practice of truly sustainable fishing, the kind of fishing that has existed in rural and coastal Ireland for generations. That type of fishing is more environmentally friendly and will keep families living on islands and in other coastal areas.

Funding for this comes in limited forms from the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Housing, Planning and Local Government to local authorities. Having been a member of the coastal management committee on Cork County Council, I can tell the Minister how apparent underinvestment in small piers was. At the very first meeting, I had to point out that everyone fighting for the same minuscule amount of funding was counterproductive and that we should instead make the focus how can we get more much-needed funding for piers. I was advised to ask the Minister. Can the Minister ensure that small piers are made a priority in the funding streams for marine infrastructure to support sustainable fishing and coastal and island communities?

My next example highlights the need for participatory decision making between farmers, fishing communities, their representatives and Government. The sustainable development goals recognise partnerships as an essential part of the solution. The Covid-19 tie-up scheme demonstrates the urgent need for greater engagement. Once it was announced, fishermen and their organisations contacted me expressing dismay. Not only was it insufficient to cover standing costs, it was ill-suited in assisting an industry on the verge of collapse. The Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation called the scheme"botched" and more than 98% of respondents to a survey for The Irish Skippersaid it will not cover fixed costs. The Minister met fishing representatives in March and April but in May, this unpopular and unsuitable scheme was launched. That is the result of a failed engagement process. This is why farmers and fishing communities are so often negative about policies; their concerns and suggested solutions are disregarded.

Not only do we need immediate adjustments to the scheme, we also need to be assured that the flawed systems which created the scheme are reformed.

Will the Minister commit to engaging actively with fishing communities and representative organisations to make adjustments to the scheme? More broadly, will he commit to a partnership-based model in developing climate action policies for emissions reduction?

Third, there is the matter of priorities. There is a limited budget but within that, there are always choices. Small farmers and coastal and island communities are screaming out for funding, yet again this year, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is giving almost €17 million to the greyhound racing industry. This controversial, loss-making industry is funded with public money. Last year’s "RTÉ Investigates" programme found that the industry is "breeding animals to kill them". Now greyhound racing is set to commence ahead of vital services like breast and cervical cancer screening. Why is this deeply problematic industry held in such high esteem by the Government?

Funding sustainable agriculture and fishing needs to be prioritised. The annual transition statement and its catalogue of our current policy inadequacies has to be a wake-up call. Action is required immediately. Real changes are needed that will help save and enhance Irish farming. The past five years, since the signing of the Paris Agreement, have been squandered on shallow gestures and a focus on efficiencies over achievements. Even worse than wasting time we do not have is wasting time that our grandchildren and their children will not have. We need action not only because of the inevitable fines, but because of the moral obligation to the next generation of farmers and fishing communities. What is the Minister going to do to ensure farmers and fishermen can start to welcome and seek climate action?

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