Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this really important point because this is the time of year when sheep farmers' focus is on lambing their ewes. Right now, sheep farmers throughout the country are in their sheds with their ewes wondering what return they will get for their efforts and time in the months ahead. This is a really concerning time for them. Every sector across the country in agriculture has been impacted by the really high rise in input costs created by the Ukraine crisis. That is why we intervened last year with over €90 million worth of supports for farmers. Sheep farmers were an integral part of it. Their contribution to the countryside and rural economy is really important, not only economically but also environmentally, and nowhere more than in the west.

We continue to work and monitor this situation to support sheep farmers. What the sheep farmers want more than anything is a proper price for their produce. That is why we continue to work. We gained access to the market in the US last year and continue to work on new market development. I am the Minister of State with responsibility in this area. We are working in really important markets like China to open up the opportunities and achieve the best return for our sheep farmers.

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