John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I re-emphasise Senator Burke's point. It is an issue a number of farmers in my area, Waterford, have brought to my attention. They are interested in making their landholdings available for solar farms, but there is the fact that their payments are lost in that context. It is a big leap for them, obviously, to commit to leases of 25 or 30 years on their lands, given the fact that once their farming payments are gone they are gone for ever. If the land were ever to revert to its former use, they would be at a loss. The fact that there is not relief in place in respect of solar energy as there is for the provision of other forms of energy means they are at a loss. Perhaps the Minister could consider the matter before Report Stage.