Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is crucial that we do not turn a blind eye to the situation of the thousands of farming families whose lands daily support our local businesses. We can see the mistakes Governments have made for years, including when it comes to the designation of land. We have seen through the pandemic the mistakes that were made and the good things that were done. The only way we can protect farmers under designation of land is by way of consultation. We can protect farmers only by giving a voice to them, because they are the people who know the land. I have said since I came into the Dáil that I do not think the balance is right within the Cabinet. The Government does not understand rural areas. It is grand to take out a pen and draw a diagram showing that land is to be designated here and there. However, it is very important to consider the impact on the land, the families who farm it and the surrounding rural areas.

The farming community has done everything it can, under the instructions of this and previous Governments, to work with the State from an environmental point of view. Farmers increased cattle numbers when they were told to expand the dairy herd. They have done everything they were told to do. Now the Government is coming back and designating land again. Farms are probably the only businesses in Ireland on which another barrier is placed every time members of the Government stand up to talk. These are family-run businesses and they are faced with a Government that wants to keep changing emissions requirements and setting new targets. The group to which the Government goes all the time is the farming community.

My rural colleagues and I need to make sure we protect the people we represent for the long term. I represent County Limerick and there are many farmers there to whom I am very grateful for putting food on my table. I am happy that so many farmers are supporting businesses in our communities. If the Government wants to designate land, it needs to consult every farmer and give them the opportunity to have a say. It is their culture and heritage we are talking about and it must not be destroyed by somebody in Europe deciding that land should be designated. Feedback must come from rural areas to the Government to follow through on. It cannot be done the other way around, where it is dictated from the top. We want to work with the Government and we want to work with farmers. However, the Government is not listening and we can see that the balance is wrong within the Cabinet and in the committees.

A total of 37% of the population of Ireland lives in rural areas. We see from the lack of infrastructure that we have been forgotten.

The Government is now targeting us again through the designation of land. I ask the Government to please consult the farmers because it is their heritage and livelihood. They always give back. The Government should stop targeting the one area the whole time. I will leave the remaining time for the Minister of State to reply.

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