Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

That was probably the most nebulous, vague response that we have got to such an important question in this Chamber in a long time. It is incredible that the sector which produces food for this country and is the backbone of rural communities is facing a significant cut to its livelihood by this Government. The EPA report is clear in its focus and targeting of the agricultural sector to reduce climate-changing emissions. The difficulty, as I know from farmers, is that they know change is needed but they do not want to become the martyrs of the climate change crisis in Ireland, especially when one sees Ministers jetting around the world. They do not want to be bankrupted when we see an explosion of Brazilian beef exports annually. There is a real issue with the viability of the Irish farm. The only way to make it viable is to guarantee a different price. If one wants to build bridges with the farming community, the first thing one needs to do is tell farmers that they will be able to make a living in the future.

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