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

Consultation is key in this regard and that can take place in different forms. We had an interesting and good meeting in our social dialogue process with the representatives of the farming sector last month. Many different views were expressed. Much attention was focused on the issue of climate, because it is going to be critical. I refer to climate adaptation as well as to reducing emissions. Equally, as I said earlier, this involves providing payments and increasing incomes as we reduce emissions. Therefore, consultation is going to be key. There are different views within the farming sector, however, depending on different circumstances in different parts of the country. The Government must balance those different situations.

I keep returning to the fact that the land use review and the plan that will emanate from it, reflecting the different circumstances in different parts of the country, as well as all the various elements of the agricultural sector, including dairy, beef, sucklers, crops, horticulture, tillage, etc., will mean that we will require a varied approach depending on those different needs. More than anything else, however, we must agree on how we can get young people into farming. We must listen and talk to them about how we can make this work. That will be key.

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