Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is another problem. Why are they operating outside of the scheme? What are the flaws in the scheme and what has the Minister of State done to assess this?

The 8.5% figure is the 2019 figure which was a full percentage increase across the European Union level from the year before. We do not have any more updated figures. The rest of Europe is moving ahead of us. We have a strong reputation internationally for a green and environmentally friendly agriculture product. That reputation is going to be important if we are going to be able to maintain the level of support that Ireland has internationally for its agriculture product. We need to get serious about this.

I am disappointed. There are two areas under the Minister of State's control in which she can make a significant difference to Irish farmers in terms of income, as well as delivering for the environment; namely, organics and forestry. In both areas, she is failing miserably to make an impact. She is reading statements prepared by officials which have failed time and time again.

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