Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Farmers are going through a most horrendous time in this country with crippling fertiliser costs as well as the price of green diesel going up €1 per litre due to carbon tax and VAT increases on fuel as the Government stands idly by. I met members of the IFA and other farm organisations in west Cork over the weekend. They told me of the mental stress farmers are going through as many are on the verge of losing their farms, livelihoods and homes.

Another crisis that looks like being thrown at farmers by the Government is the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, in which the Government states that the sectoral emissions ceilings range for agriculture will be equivalent to a percentage emissions reduction of between 22% and 30%. Farm groups in west Cork have told me the 22% target would have a significant social impact on rural Ireland and would be nearly impossible to achieve, never mind dreaming of a 30%. Last night, on Virgin Media's "The Tonight Show", the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, suggested that farmers would be expected to reduce cow numbers. Does the Taoiseach agree with the Minister suggestion? What will the sectoral emissions ceilings be set at this year? Will it be 22% or less?

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