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

We would love the sheep sector to be able to qualify for funding under the Brexit adjustment reserve, but it is not easy to prove the current challenges faced by the sector are directly linked to Brexit. The big challenges from Brexit are down the line and the medium-term risks are related to future trade deals. The EU will make deals. The UK has not done yet done the deals with New Zealand and Australia. We are not yet affected in this regard but these are the challenges. Some of the trade deals will provide opportunities for us.

I completely agree with the Deputy in that sheep farmers in Kildare, whether on the Curragh or elsewhere, have been in touch with us, as have farmers from every other county. We have engaged with them. We understand the challenges that exist and that is why we have a range of supports, including the 20% payment increase under the sheep welfare scheme and the €10 billion in the CAP strategic plan. We are seeking to target these measures and supports, which we provide to all farmers due to the significant input cost increases that have accrued as a result of the Ukraine crisis, as well as other supports on which I might touch in my supplementary response.

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