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

Today is the 50th anniversary of the Irish referendum on EU membership, which was held on 10 May 1972. Many good regulations and enforcements have come because we joined the EU. Roaming charges were abolished and data protection regulations were introduced. However, since 2019, when the European Green Deal was introduced for the EU, with the aim of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, Ireland paid a huge price. This is particularly the case for agriculture.

We had expected a bounceback in the economy at the end of Covid. It happened but it was quickly flattened by the rising energy prices, which are having a major impact on Irish agriculture and the agrifood sector. The continually rising costs of fertiliser, fuel and foodstuffs are affecting every family and farm across the country. What industry in the world other than the agriculture industry would be told, on the one hand, to increase animal numbers in 2011 and then, on the other hand, to cull animals? What other industry in the world would be told to cut its supply? Guess what: our grass production has reduced by 5% and our cattle number is down by 3.3%. These are all Teagasc-backed figures. The European Green Deal has set our agriculture sector in a spin.

I am not sure whether I can celebrate Europe Day when I know in my heart and soul that the Green Party has jumped on board in enforcing green policy that will damage our economy, driving inflation upwards when we have no alternative. Inflation is currently at a high of 6.9%, a high that was not seen in 40 years. Where will the factories get their supplies from? The supply chain is broken. I do not think I will celebrate Europe Day. It is more like "Mayday, Mayday", which signals distress — distress for our farmers caused by the Government.

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