Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, to the Chamber. I tabled this Commencement matter this morning to ask for an update on the funding for show societies. We have 120 show societies in Ireland and they are a very important part of our rural fabric. The show societies are, in fact, a great celebration of what we do really well in rural Ireland. They are a real boost to the local economy. They attract visitors from both urban and rural settings to visit these shows. They give a flavour of what happens on the farm.

In my own constituency we have a plethora of wonderful shows. We have the Cork Summer Show, the Belgooly, Ballygarvan, Bandon, Barryroe, Bantry, Dunmanway, Carbery and Clonakilty shows, the Leap horse show, the Schull show and the west Cork breeders show. This amazing line-up of 12 shows in west Cork shows us the rich heritage we have when it comes to agriculture itself. Funding these shows is obviously a big issue. Organisations and voluntary groups come together and work very hard to raise the funds to run these shows. Insurance, as we are all aware, is also an issue. The economic environment we have been in, particularly for the past two years, has been a significant issue for the show societies in raising money to run these shows.

I am here to look for clarity on how we can put funding together for the show societies for 2022 so they will have the opportunity to show what they can do. These shows illustrate to society what agriculture is about, show the very best in animal husbandry and show different kinds of animals. For a family man, it is a wonderful opportunity to go around and see what can be done at local level with regard to food, agriculture, machinery and livestock. The plethora of things that one can get at a show is wonderful. The 12 shows in our part of west Cork are very significant driver in our economy. That is something we need to protect and work on. We need to put a framework in place to support these show committees. They are made up of lay individuals doing their best for the community. I ask if the Government could possibly find funding for these committees. I acknowledge that the Government did so previously when a line of funding was made available for show societies. I am looking for clarity about where that funding is for 2022 and where we are going to go in regard to supporting these very important entities for Ireland and, in particular, rural Ireland.

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I thank the Senator for raising the very important matter of funding for agricultural shows. Agricultural shows are a great celebration of all that is good about rural Ireland. They provide a welcome boost for local economies and attract visitors to support our rural communities. Aside from the contribution they make to the rural economy, agricultural shows also provide a great outlet for local communities, both urban and rural, with local clubs and schools getting involved. Agricultural shows provide entertainment for all the family.Unfortunately, in the past two years, we have not been able to have these celebrations. The reason being, of course, that agricultural shows had fallen silent, with activities in most instances having ceased altogether in the wake of the all-consuming pandemic. This in turn had a negative impact on local communities and businesses. Agricultural shows had, for example, become an important showcase for our agrifood industry and a great shop window for many of the wonderful artisan food producers and small craft businesses this country has to offer.

The Irish Shows Association is the official body representing Irish agricultural shows on an all-island basis. Given the huge contribution these shows make to rural lives, the Department of Rural and Community Development provided an allocation of €600,000 in 2019 to the Irish Shows Association to support the costs of running the shows that were due to take place the following year. This followed on from similar funding provided in the preceding two years. In light of Covid-19 and the unfortunate cancellation of nearly all these shows in 2020 and 2021, it was agreed that the funding of €600,000 would be held in trust by the Irish Shows Association and carried forward to be used by the shows when they were once again operational.

Even though the shows were not operational over the past two years, they continued to incur operational costs. Following a request from the Irish Shows Association, the Minister agreed last year that €200,000 of the funding held in trust could be used to cover the costs incurred by more than 120 shows. These costs were fixed and were required to be met at a time when the shows had little or no access to fundraising sources. Such costs included web hosting, domain name, storage of equipment, renting of land and office space, and bank costs. The funding to help cover these costs was a welcome boost for the shows at that time.

I am glad to be in a position to reaffirm support to agricultural shows this year as we emerge from the grip of Covid-19. I understand from the Irish Shows Association that there is significant excitement and enthusiasm among the show committees in anticipation of the year ahead. The remaining funds - some €400,000 - held in trust by the Irish Shows Association will be available for the coming season. The Minister also committed to reviewing the funding in place for the 2022 season and I expect that process will be completed shortly.

I would also like to take the opportunity to encourage people to attend agricultural shows this year. They are not just a source of great celebration and fun, but they can be very educational too. I believe there is a job of work to be done to increase the understanding of life in rural Ireland, not just in these Houses but across public life. Those of us who grow up on farms or in rural Ireland and later move to the city have an understanding of both rural and urban Ireland. However, I often think that people who have always been urban dwellers are missing out on so much. Therefore, I speak to urban dwellers in particular and suggest that a worthwhile and enjoyable outing this spring or summer would be to attend a nearby agricultural show. If people go on to the Irish Shows Association website, they will see that there will be a show taking place much nearer to them than they may realise.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive acknowledgement that money is held in trust to the amount of €400,000 to help the show societies. The review that is in place for the 2022 session is very much welcomed. Will the Minister of State elaborate on when that review will be finalised, taking into consideration that many of these shows will start in May?

If the Minister of State comes to my part of the world, we have 12 wonderful shows. If he gets the opportunity to call to west Cork over the summer, I am sure we could find a show very close to where he stays. He would have a great opportunity to see what is wonderful about west Cork and the show societies we have.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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It is worldwide.

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I thank the Senator for the invitation. I will be speaking directly with the Minister tonight on the Senator's question in terms of the review and the issues raised today, as well as the value the shows bring, particularly in their community value and their value in maintaining a key piece of our national identity.

Numerous events are undertaken every summer. They include the judging of cattle, horses, sheep, horticulture, dogs, arts and crafts, cookery, and numerous children's competitions. It is recognised that the costs have increased to host these events. The costs reflect the large range of activities that go on at the shows that make them so attractive. It is a family day out and a showcase for local communities and requires local effort. I urge people to go to at least one agricultural show this year, especially our urban dwellers. In reflecting on my experience as a child, the Cork summer show was a very big deal and I have many memories of parking at the marina, the long walk down to the show, the flow of people going there and the various interesting smells, maybe coming from the chipper but from other things as well, when we got there. It is certainly an experience I will also bring my kids to. I will take the Senator up on his offer.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Let us hope for a dry summer.