Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As a person who lives on a family farm, I am more than familiar with the struggles that farmers across Ireland are facing. Farming is at the centre of every community across Carlow and Kilkenny. As the recent storms and heavy snowfall showed us, farmers and communities in rural Ireland always step to the fore in supporting one another in times of need and difficulty. The programme for Government was an opportunity to give Irish farmers the support they deserved. Once again, however, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael failed to stand up for farmers across the State. The section on agriculture is riddled with hollow promises. Words like "review" and "examine" dominate the text, but where is the substance? Where are the concrete commitments to protect farm incomes, ensure fair prices or invest in a sustainable future?

We all recognise that there is a group of forgotten farmers who deserve to be compensated, but the Government only offers vague assurances to them, with no clear plan for compensation. These farmers deserve to be shown respect and not more delays. The Mercosur trade deal poses the gravest threat to Irish farmers in a generation. In the programme for Government, we see only lukewarm opposition to the deal. We need to see a complete and utter rejection of the Mercosur deal by the Government. Sinn Féin is utterly opposed to the Mercosur trade deal. It offers nothing positive for Ireland and will have a devastating impact on farmers and communities across rural Ireland.

As a mother raising four young boys on a family farm, I want to see a future where Irish farming is flourishing. I want family farms to be passed on to the next generation of young farmers. I want children to continue the tradition of family farming, knowing their futures in farming are secure. We need to ensure that Irish farming is in a stronger and more vibrant and resilient environment than the one with which we are currently battling.

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