Seanad debates

Wednesday, 1 October 2025

2:00 am

Paraic Brady (Fine Gael)

I move:

That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges:
- the importance of agriculture to rural Ireland and the Irish economy;

- the thousands of jobs in farming, agriculture and food production sectors;

- the dependency in many years on the weather to profits in farming;

- the importance of food security to a growing world population;

- the key role that the Common Agriculture Payment plays in Irish farming;

- the importance of the nitrates derogation to Irish farming, particularly dairying;

- the establishment of the Cabinet subcommittee on water quality;

- the research role of Teagasc and promotional role of Bord Bia to assist in developing Irish agriculture;
notes:
- the recent publication of the Bovine TB Action Plan;

- the recent negotiation of the Mercosur free trade agreement;

- the European Commission proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MMF);

- the establishment of the scheme to recognise ‘Forgotten Farmers’;

- the commitments to agriculture in the Programme for Government; and
calls on the Government to:
- continue to invest in farming and rural Ireland;

- engage proactively on the MMF to secure the best deal for Irish agriculture;

- continue to engage in the development of new markets for Irish food products;

- act on the recommendations of the Commission on Generational Renewal;

- continue to do everything possible to secure Ireland’s nitrates derogation in recognition of our pasture based farming system;

- proceed with introducing planning exemptions to increase slurry storage;

- address the particular challenges in the Irish tillage sector at present;

- increase scheme supports for the suckler, beef and sheep sectors;

- support the Areas of Natural Constraints to farmers in marginal areas and on designated lands;

- support capital investments in the poultry and pig sectors to improve animal health and welfare;

- increase capital investment in horticulture and continue to invest in organics and in traditional farm buildings.

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