Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The position relating to this matter has been laid out well by a number of speakers, including Deputy Kerrane. Deputy Conway-Walsh put it particularly well when she said that we are all in support of the restoration of nature and that we all accept the fact of the biodiversity crisis. The particular issue that we had, which relates to the motion we are dealing with today, was the fact it can only exist if there is a plan and funding. Outside of that, we just have targets and impositions. Many have spoken of where farmers stand with regard to their particular issues at this time. I am sure many of us heard this when canvassing. They can see they get less for doing more, and they find they are being vilified. If we are talking about the sustainability of farming and the family farm, we have to work alongside farmers.

In fairness, many of the previous speakers, including my colleagues, spoke about the amendments from Sinn Féin, in particular from Chris MacManus, that were not accepted. That is the reason we did not support this. We know the issue with the Common Agricultural Policy is that it has been reducing in real terms. We know some of this reduction is because the European Union is deciding to put its money elsewhere, sometimes into places which the Irish people would not accept as the right place to put it, for example, into militarisation, the building up of the military-industrial complex and such things that Ursula von der Leyen would like to see happen. Whichever MEPs are elected, we need to make sure we make a strong case in Europe in that regard.

As we are dealing with the issues that face farmers, I take the opportunity to note that I have spoken with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue. I welcome the fact that Teagasc met a number of farmers who were severely impacted following the serious flooding in the Cooley Peninsula around Hallowe'en 2023. Many of them had to do mitigating works and they were afraid this would not be looked after. The Minister has indicated to me that a great deal of work is being done and that a scheme is on the way. However, I would like the Minister to follow up with information in that regard because we need to get that information to the farmers as soon as possible. Beyond information, we need to make sure they get the necessary funding while we also carry out the mitigation and flood protection works that are necessary everywhere. There are a number of places in my constituency where works need to be done as soon as possible.

I reiterate the point made by the IFA recently in demanding justice for farmers who had sheep culled during the foot and mouth crisis. A number of cases were taken but, at times, some of the funding was inadequate. I have raised this issue before with the Minister for agriculture. It is not going away.

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