Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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451. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of acres of farmland taken up with solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40264/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not have the requested information available to it.

Issues regarding planning of solar farms fall under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The rights of farmers and other landowners are, of course, subject to the usual Constitutional protections.

As Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, I am committed to driving sustainable agriculture practices that underpin Ireland’s food sector and contribute more broadly to food security through an export market of €19 billion.

It is important to provide farmers with opportunities to ensure that they can maximise the income from their holdings, maintain viable holdings and protect our family farm tradition. Hence, my Department provides a wide range of supports for a variety of farming activities and sectors.

My Department also has a specific role in ensuring that agricultural lands, as defined under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), are maintained to a high environmental standard as set out under the Cross Compliance framework.

Land submitted for payment under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) must remain under agricultural management for the duration of the scheme year. My Department also ensures that the required environmental and sustainability practices are implemented on agricultural land in Ireland.