Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach, and I thank all the Senators for their support. The Minister is very welcome. I am delighted to see him here to discuss this really important topic of climate and agriculture. He will know that I am a member of the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action. This is an issue that is really close to my heart.

It is important to say that environmentalists, myself included, do not point the finger of blame at farmers. That is a really important message. Because the emissions from agriculture are 37% of our overall emissions, it is important that we discuss the matter. However, we can do so in a respectful manner and in a way which means that we do not single out farmers. I do not think that farming families are being pointed at but I do understand why people might feel they are. The media has a part to play in not pitting people against each other.

Consumers want a greener product. Macra na Feirme representatives appeared before the joint committee. One of the things those farmers asked for was access to ecologists. Farmers of the future know that this is where we are moving, that consumers across Europe want a greener, sustainable product and that is coming closer to home in Ireland. Much of what we produce in this country is exported, which means that we will have to stay on top of it. Where does the blame lie? In some respects, it lies with practices that have not led farmers in the right direction. It might have been because things were not known and because the climate and biodiversity crises were not fully understood. We only have to think back a few decades when we would have seen much more biodiversity on farms that we grew up around. That really has changed and nobody knows it better than a farmer who is out there with his or her hands in the earth. They know that. They want support, and the Department wants to support them.

The committee is looking at emissions ceilings. Its work in that regard will eventually be sent to the Minister's Department. It is important that we have the greatest ambition because that serves farmers. It is also important that we seek to go beyond that. That might sound like pie in the sky, but things are changing. Even the attitude towards nitrogen fertiliser is changing. More people are talking about multispecies than ever before. Things change and move on. There are opportunities for farmers. Look at the farmers who are the subject of the derogation. The latter is really only concentrated around 5% of farmers. It is not the small farms in the west or the majority of farms; it relates to very intensive farming. We are going to have to step up to the mark, address this matter and pull the lid back on it. We cannot say that it is to do with every farmer. It is not even about blaming those farmers; it is about moving in a different direction and supporting them to do so.

Breastfeeding and how we support it is something very close to my heart. The Minister for Health has made improvements in that are and has put in place lactation consultants across the country. The agriculture industry also has a part to play. It is not accidental that we have a very low breastfeeding rate in Ireland, a country which is one of the largest exporters of formula milk or, at least, the product that becomes formula milk. We export to Asia. This industry is worth €1 billion a year, and with it comes a huge responsibility. China's breastfeeding rates have dropped from 60% to 30%. The availability of formula contributes to that no matter what we think.Not everyone can breastfeed but everyone should have the opportunity to avoid a bombardment of advertising which promotes something that is fundamentally not the healthiest way to go. It is a healthy alternative if one cannot breastfeed but it should not be the first port of call. If 70% of a population is using formula, there is something wrong that we need to examine. We cannot put money and industry above health. The World Health Organization has stated that breastfeeding is the way to support healthy children and mothers. That must be a part of the conversation about food, nutrition and how we value our infants and children. Some 84% of women in Ireland go into hospital wanting to breastfeed and only 37% come out breastfeeding. It is not just about thinking about people who go into hospital and want something different. This is about supporting people who want to breastfeed and helping them to achieve their goals.

Another area on which I want to touch is animal welfare because the Minister is here and the matter falls under his remit. It is important to say that there are two ships due to dock in Libya. I have been told this by the animal welfare group within the Green Party. I raised this issue before Christmas when storms were raging and the Finola Mvessel was stuck in a storm. The concern at the time was that there were no vets on board. I would like some assurances that now the pandemic is coming to an end, vets will be on board these ships, at the very least. That is not to talk about my aversion to live export in general. On this one issue, we need to make sure the animals are well taken care of and there are vets on board.

I will also raise the matter of Rossaveal and investment in our ports. It has been identified that the coast of Connemara is one of the areas for the development of offshore wind. I know that the development of some of the ports is under the Minister's remit. I would like to hear what is happening with Rossaveal Port. We know we need deep-water ports if we are to advance floating offshore wind. It could create considerable employment off the west coast, as it will off the east and south coasts. Much of the wind is off the west coast. We need to have a pipeline in place for offshore renewables.