Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also extend my welcome to the ambassador. Céad míle fáilte.

The 2023 Estimate for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is €2.14 billion. This is the highest ever level of funding for the Department and represents an increase of €283 million on the 2022 provision. This is a 13% increase overall to support farmers, rural and coastal communities and the fishing community. The budget supports farmers and family farms dealing with the immediate and ongoing fallout from the illegal invasion of Ukraine. It also lays the groundwork for strategic supports for the sector over the next five years through the new €10 billion Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, strategic plan. The budget delivers large-scale funding to drive the sector's environmental ambition, helping improve both on-farm sustainability and farmers' incomes. Some €500 million has been secured in the 2023 budget to support farmers in their efforts to tackle the challenges of climate, biodiversity and water quality.This is real money for farm families. The measures include up to 30,000 places in a new flagship agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES. While it might have some shortcomings, efforts will be made to improve it.

There is also a grant aid scheme to support the spreading of lime as well as an enhanced multispecies sward red clover scheme. Many years ago, farmers spread quite a lot of lime but unfortunately in recent years, they have not been able to do that because of cost. I very much welcome the €8 million investment and I think that many farmers will get involved in lime spreading.

There will be an increase in TAMS funding to €90 million. This will help fund the proposed increase to 60% grant rate and a stand-alone investment ceiling of €90,000 for solar installation. As an immediate step, which is important, farm dwellings will be eligible for inclusion for solar panel investment. There is also an increased budget for organic farming at €37 million, which is a whopping 80% increase on last year. Crucially, there is a €2.5 million budget for farm safety. Every Member, including the Leader and the Cathaoirleach, will recognise that we have had too many farm accidents. Too many people, young and not so young, have been killed in tragic farm accidents and, therefore, I welcome that budget for farm safety.

I am delighted that we have a good package. It is important that we have this kind of funding. I make this strong statement on the agricultural budget because the agricultural sector employs up to 300,000 people in this country. Its products are on our tables every day with the food that we eat. It generates almost €14.5 billion in exports and 90% of what we produce is exported. Every citizen should realise how important agriculture is and that it is still the backbone of our economy despite its challenges. I hope that governments will continue to invest more in the agricultural sector.