Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Senator Clifford-Lee.

I welcome the Minister. I have had the opportunity to congratulate him privately but it is nice to be able to do it in a public forum. The electorate of Kildare South was certainly very pleased to see a Cabinet Minister from the constituency, so I wish him well in his onerous role. I know that, as a practising farmer, he brings a lot of expertise and experience to his brief. In case there was anything lacking, I have no doubt that Denis Halpin, Thomas O'Connor and the good people of Kildare IFA will certainly keep him on his toes, as they keep me on mine. It is a very active branch of the IFA and it works hard to ensure that all public representatives, regardless of their background, have an understanding of the agriculture sector. This is very important. As someone who comes from an agricultural background with many members of my extended family in the farming business, I am only too aware of the importance of agriculture, not just to Kildare but to the country.

The agrifood sector is the most important indigenous industry, providing 173,000 jobs, of which 3,302 are full-time equivalents in agriculture in Kildare. By any standard, that is a very high number and it proves that agriculture is hugely important for employment. Farm income in Kildare amounts to €60 million, the value of the agricultural output is €183 million and the value of agricultural exports from that output is €267 million. The number of jobs relating to food and drink processing from the Kildare output alone is 1,285, so it is very significant. In light of the conversations about tariffs that have, sadly, been taking place, it is a very difficult time for those working in the food and agrifood industry, who produce our very high-quality exports. That has to be part of the conversation we have.

There is no doubt our farmers are world-class food producers, but they are more than that. They are the social, economic and cultural pillars of our rural communities. We all know and acknowledge that any money that farmers earn is spent in the local community, keeping the local shops and businesses running. Fianna Fáil is committed to ensuring a thriving agriculture and agrifood sector. It formed a strong part of our manifesto and we are pleased to be able to contribute to the programme for Government in that regard. Strengthening farm incomes for our 130,000 farm families nationally is so important. We need to maintain and continue all the supports that are there.

I spoke here recently about the ACRES payment and my concern about the delays in payments. The number affected is far too high and some delays have carried over from 2023, so I urge the Minister to look at this as a priority. As for renegotiating the Common Agricultural Policy, this policy has been there since 1962. It is all about balance. It is about promoting farm income but also ensuring food security. This has to be the top priority for the Irish Presidency of the EU. I do not shirk from saying it must be the top priority. We know the price of beef is high, which can be good for farmers but is not good for consumers so in the long run, that is not welcome. Our crops look good but, again, tillage costs are high so in the long run, that has to be a concern as well.

An issue that is important in Kildare and around the country involves solar farms. I raised the matter here about two weeks ago. Planning is sought to use really good agricultural land to build solar farms and in a lot of cases, it is granted. There is an issue because we do not have a national strategy or planning policy on solar farms.We see that one 600-acre farm just outside Clane is in for planning at the moment. Italy has agreed a national policy that land that is good for agriculture or breeding would not be given planning permission for solar farms. It is important that we begin to look at that. I know this involves another Department but I would appreciate it if the Minister raises it.