Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is welcome to the Chamber. I will follow on from the comments made by Senators Malcolm Byrne and Kyne about the work the Minister did before Christmas in visiting marts. I was at a mart with the Minister in Thurles and I think he was there for four and a half hours. If anyone says the Minister is not willing to talk to ordinary farmers on the ground, that was not the experience I had with him in Thurles. After the meeting, the view was that the Minister was there to listen and take on board what everyone said. He was not necessarily there to agree with what everyone said but he was there to listen and take on board the concerns of people in my area. I thank him for that.

I acknowledge yesterday's announcement of the GLAS traditional farm building grant scheme to a value of €25,000. Every farmer in the country has a building that could do with being done up. Old buildings and sheds could now be used. I encourage people in Tipperary and anywhere else who have buildings of that kind to avail of this scheme. It is a good scheme. Buildings of that sort have been let go for the past 20, 25, 30 and 40 years. It is important for farmers to use that scheme.

There are many matters on which I could touch but I only have a short time to speak. When the Minister was previously in the Chamber, I talked to him about the increased price of fertiliser for farmers and the additional cost of it in 2022. That is going to be a burden on many farmers. I asked the Minister at the time if he could do something to support farmers with a scheme. Many schemes have been set up to support farmers in other areas, especially when they go through difficult periods. We need to do something for farmers because of the cost of fertiliser. Last year was a good year for many sectors in farming and most farmers accept that. However, the cost of fertiliser is going to be a huge issue. Farmers recognise that they need to reduce the use of fertiliser but that will happen gradually. We need to do something to support them now.

It was announced today that fuel costs in Ireland are the highest in the world. That will have a significant impact on the agricultural industry this year. I would appreciate it if the Minister could support farmers.