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

I thank the Deputy. The climate action plan has provided a pathway for reducing our land use, land use change and forestry emissions since 2021 and commits to the implementation of reduced management intensity on a portion of Ireland’s drained organic soils. This is a relatively new area of work in Ireland, with much uncertainty and complexity. If we are to reduce emissions from drained peat soils, it is important we consider how this might be achieved.

Those at the workshop referenced by Deputy Aird included people involved in projects with expertise of working with farmers in this area, including the European Innovation Partnership programmes, ACRES co-operation and the LIFE projects. There is no question of imposing solutions on farmers. Addressing this challenge will require a national approach involving all stakeholders. I am fully committed to working with farmers, farm organisations, the environmental pillar and other stakeholders to develop a pathway forward that is based on the principles of it being voluntary and well-funded, as I have outlined.

I believe farmers have a positive role to play in this space, and I know the Deputy thinks so too. They have already demonstrated their real commitment to action and 2024 is expected to deliver a third year in a row of reductions in agricultural emissions. Farmers have turned the trend and changed the narrative. I am confident we will do the same in the area of water quality, where we have seen positive early indications from the EPA for the first half of last year. That is what can be achieved when we back farmers and work with them in a spirit of co-operation rather than confrontation. That is the point the Deputy is highlighting. The role that our farmers play in producing safe, quality food is recognised at home and abroad but they also have a role in protecting biodiversity and water quality. Farmers can do more than one thing at the same time. They are up for that challenge, as well as contributing to climate action, and that must be acknowledged and adequately supported. I am really clear on that. It is only fair that, for measures which go beyond baseline requirements, farmers receive adequate financial support if they voluntarily agree to take them on. Farmers cannot go green if they are in the red.

On the point about ACRES, we are making progress. I was down in Wexford last week visiting the officials in Johnstown Castle. We cleared almost 1,700 last week and we are down to 10,400. I am determined that we will improve communication, clear the backlog as quickly as possible and provide long-term solutions that are not just a quick fix for this year but will mean we will not face these problems again next year.

See this speech in context