Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to draw the attention of the House to a seminar that is happening tomorrow. Female participation in agriculture is a key theme we need to start talking about to make sure we have a focus on trying to ensure females get involved in agriculture. They are involved in agriculture to a significant extent but, unfortunately, only 13% of land holdings are in female ownership, which is a significant issue.

Tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. a seminar will take place in the Timoleague Hall. Both Barryroe Co-operative Limited and the Carbery Co-operative Society will host a seminar on female participation in agriculture and there is a great line-up of speakers. The aim of the seminar is to empower the female population who are involved in agriculture, so they can be the real drivers in this industry going forward and that is what we need to see.

We need to have a debate about female participation in agriculture and to invite the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to the House in order that he can give his vision on how we can increase the number of females involved in agriculture. The Cathaoirleach would know my story. My mother was the driving force behind our farm for very many years and she was a significant powerhouse. People like her drove things forward to make sure we have that kind of participation in agriculture. More needs to be done now to get more women involved. The agriculture industry needs them. We need to ensure seminars take place around the country like the one that will take place tomorrow in Timoleague Hall. As the Minister has a role to play in promoting female participation, it is important he comes here to discuss his vision for this issue.