Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have to await the Report Stage tomorrow in the Seanad, but I do not expect other amendments on this complex issue. Even explaining the science of sinks, sources and different accounting mechanisms is an evolving and complex process in its own right. However, the amendments we have introduced and the further amendment tomorrow help. As I said during the Dáil debate, the Bill recognises that we are going to be using sources and sinks and that we will pay farmers.

To answer briefly the two other questions the Deputy asked which I did not get a chance to answer, New Zealand provides a model. For example, its dairy farmers are switching away from the heavy fertiliser and pumped-up rye grass model towards mixed sward. They are doing what many smart farmers are starting to do here, which is good nutrient and soil management, so it is happening. On individual farms, we will look at similar systems that country has for here, where there will be payments from other sectors for the nature-based services and solutions, including carbon sinks, that farmers and foresters provide. That is coming. It will take some time to get the systems in place, but it is part of the future for Irish agriculture.

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