Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)

I accept those valid points and the importance of the planning guidelines committed to in the programme for Government. It is why we have that commitment in there. That is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to introduce.

As regards dairy farmers and concerns about the availability of land, there is huge pressure on availability as it is, be that for dairy, tillage, leasing, etc. Land use is under pressure from a variety of directions. The Deputy raised concerns about the dairy sector and I understand his perspective, but it has very high energy costs, so my Department supporting the implementation of solar panels on the roofs of sheds to offset those costs is a good thing for farmers. Solar has a place here. I realise the Deputy is not saying it does not. I am proud that we support farmers to have rooftop solar panels and reduce their energy costs. Whether the individual is a dairy, beef, sheep or tillage farmer, he or she can continue to do the core activity of producing top-quality food in that shed while having a sustainable and steady source of income every year from the shed's roof, which can help in years of income volatility when prices are low.

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