Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)

For fear anyone mistakes me for the Minister for climate or planning, I am the Minister for agriculture. I accept the points that have been raised in that context but I wish to put on the record I was very supportive of planning guidelines for solar in the programme for Government talks. It is the right thing to do; we need a bit of structure on that. I understand the concerns raised by Deputies representing their communities. I also recognise the right of farmers to get that blend right between playing their part for the environment, producing food and making sure they have a sustainable farm income. In general, there is a role for renewables to play in supplementing that income. I refer back to the point on rooftop solar. Irrespective of the price of the sheep, cattle or grain in that shed in any given year, the year that price is low, the solar panels on the roof will still give a return and a steady income. Income volatility is a huge challenge for our farmers. Renewables have a role to play in supplementing farm incomes and encouraging the next generation of farmers to take farming on, as there will be a more sustainable income there.

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