Victor Boyhan (Independent)

I raise the issue of the report of the Commission of Generational Renewal in Farming. This was a key message that was delivered by Macra na Feirme, the IFA, the ICMSA and other farm organisations, particularly down at the Tullamore show in the summer and again at the National Ploughing Championships. This is one of the key elements. I welcome the Government's proposals on it but we need more. The Deputy Leader will know this as she represents both urban areas and amazing and fantastic rural areas. One of the key issues is about this generational renewal in agriculture and how we can pass the baton on. It has to be financially viable for families to release their homesteads, their home places that they have worked and earned. Land, farming and the homestead are at the very core of people in agriculture.I understand that, as will many here in this room. There are the issues of pension funding and favourable taxation, but if we want to pass on our land and ensure we have food security and viable, sustainable rural and regional communities, the generational renewal plan is key, as are rural housing and the right of families to maintain and stay in their homesteads, on the land they were born on. Some will inherit and others will not, but there are more jobs in agriculture than direct ones. There are artisan enterprises and there are people who can work remotely from the homestead and do part-time work. We have to stand firmly with rural communities to ensure they are sustainable, viable and supported. I am aware there is to be Private Members’ business debate on agriculture next week during which I will have an opportunity to raise this matter with the Minister. I ask that we set time aside, maybe as part of that, to have a debate on this matter of importance to Irish agriculture and rural communities.