Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Devlin for raising that matter.

Deputy McDonald raised the Mercosur beef deal. I am of the view that the deforestation of the Amazon has been terribly damaging in respect of climate change. I also believe there has to be balance in terms of how the food chain and food production systems across the world work. This will not be on the agenda at this week's meeting of the European Council, but I have certainly made the point at previous meetings that Mercosur is now a real problem given its irreconcilability with sustainability issues. When the motion was passed, President Bolsonaro was leading Brazil with a strong deforestation agenda. It remains to be seen how the new government will discharge its duties in respect of the Amazon, biodiversity restoration and sustainability more generally.

We have one of the more carbon efficient food production systems in the world, even within Europe. Therefore, it does not sit well that we would jettison or reduce a relatively carbon efficient food production system in place of a system that is much worse in terms of climate and sustainability more generally. That debate has to happen a bit more globally than it has to date. It certainly has to happen with the European Union.

Deputy Bacik asked about the climate action plan and sectoral emissions. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, has joined me. I am sure he would agree with me that there is no strategy to arrive with a climate action plan towards the end of the Dáil recess. I can assure the Deputy that in the new Dáil term in January and February, there will be ample time to resolve the matter. Perhaps now is the time to resolve this with all parties present. We will create space for a significant debate on the climate action plan when the Dáil resumes in January. That is the way to approach it. There is no strategy. It is a comprehensive plan that involves huge challenges for society. The issue will be delivering on the plan. There is no attempt to, in any shape or form, prevent the Opposition from debating the plan because we want it to accept the plan, and all of its challenges. We want Opposition and Government to collectively to resolve this and, as a society, to try to change direction and meet the targets contained in the plan. As I said, that will be extremely challenging. Deputy Bacik also raised the issue of Dr. Kathleen Lynn, a leading suffragette and key leader during the revolutionary period. Senators Mary Fitzpatrick and Catherine Ardagh have been strong supporters of the campaign and have urged me to lend my support to it. She would be a very worthy choice in terms of naming the new hospital. A lot would lend favour to naming the hospital after Dr. Kathleen Lynn.

Deputy Cahill raised an important issue in respect of meeting our climate obligations and maintaining a sustainable food production system. Travelling the length and breadth of the country, I have met many farmers who are very keen to fulfil their obligations. From what I can see, they spend a lot of time on this issue unlike other sectors of the economy. They examine it in detail because it is their bottom line in respect of farm enterprises. They want to do things properly and above board. In other words, they do not want to fight it or be told to reach a particular percentage without knowing how to get to that point.

In respect of anaerobic digestion, microgeneration and a range of other schemes, farmers need to see delivery of those to assist them in meeting the targets contained in the new climate action plan. Across the globe, the world is under pressure in terms of food production and security. We need balance in terms of the variety and diversity of our food production system. We need to be careful of over-intensive and monoculture farming. I recently visited Devenish, as did Deputy Cahill, and was struck by how it can develop a carbon neutral farm with zero emissions in terms of multi-species swards, better quality soil and so on. Farmers are willing to adapt to new technologies to improve and render our food production systems more carbon efficient. That is the challenge.

Deputy Boyd Barrett raised the issue of Debenhams. I do not have access to that material. He acknowledged that he sent it to me today but I have been in the Chamber for most of the day. It is not possible to address that. I will look at the issue and talk to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Deputy needs to be clear. There is no agenda in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to be involved in any shape or form in any conspiracy to liquidate any company that will involve the loss of 1,000 jobs.

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