Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There was a celebration in Mountbellew-Moylough on Sunday when the club won the county final in Galway for the first time in 35 years. Many Members might know Paul Connaughton Snr. and Paul Connaughton Jnr. Many people from Mountbellew have been Members of this House. It was a wonderful celebration. There were lots of black and amber flags flying and bonfires.

I was also in the Mountbellew mart yesterday listening to farmers. It is important we hear farmers' voices and stand side by side with them. Every Senator has a connection to the land, be it through previous generations of our families or our friends. We all have a connection to the land. It is important farmers understand we stand with them and are there to support them, as world class producers. They are the best at what they do in the areas of grassland management and sustainable beef production. They are leading the way and we need to support them in how they tackle climate change. "Trust" and "confidence" are words we say very easily but I can say, standing tall, I have immense trust and confidence in our farmers in leading this charge.

The Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, proposals have brought much debate and the Government is listening. We need to introduce more choice in our eco-schemes. I spoke to the office of the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, on this issue and it will seek to increase the number of eco-schemes being offered. We must invest in research and innovation to support our farmers in order that they have the best genetic breeds and grassland management techniques and the technology to support them to do what they do in the best way they can. We must help them reach the targets for emission reductions.

Costs are rising, including for feed and fertiliser, all as a direct result of the cost of gas. We need to ensure the programmes farmers are applying for are simplified and that we are conscious of rising costs. Farmers are resilient. They have adapted so much. We saw the operation of online marts and so on during the past year and a half. We must ensure that farmers see and know there is a great future in farming. We are fighting for markets and will get them. There is a future for them.