Martin Heydon
Kildare South · Fine Gael · Ireland
“In the time allotted to us, I would say we will not be able to cover everything in CAP. To take the last point first, the budget is everything. While it is not part of my negotiations as chair of the AGRIFISH Council, it is a key focus of the Irish Presidency.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this important point. A key focus of Food Vision 2030, the shared stakeholder-led strategy for the agrifood sector, is to grow the value of Irish agrifood exports in international markets, which, as I outlined earlier, we have been very successful at in recent years.”
“All producers selling raw milk must register with my Department and are subject to risk-based official controls that include inspection, audit and sampling.”
“Whether it is farmers with particular issues that are leading to environmental issues or issues with structures that need to be replaced, we are very lucky to have capital support in agriculture. I really believe in our TAMS structure.”
“I was delighted to be able to introduce the tillage sustainability support scheme earlier this year. I have not been found wanting in standing up and supporting a tillage sector that has been under pressure in recent times. The same applies to horticulture.”
“Following the publication of the report, I wrote to the chairperson of the board on 22 June 2026, requesting that the board develop a timely and effective action plan to address the recommendations in the report, and I will be seeking regular updates on its progress. I want to see these recommendations implemented and progressed.”
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“We are still drawing up the finer details of our exact approach on the habitats. We will publish that and engage on it very soon. I do not want people being picked apart on this as well. I take on board the point of view, but there is a balance here in how we do this. Everyone needs to be treated equally and fairly. That is really important. I take on board the points the Senator raised.”
“He referenced the floods at the Slaney and the awful stressful time they are going through. I am aware of further weather warnings for tomorrow. It is a very worrying time for everyone as our ground is saturated and our rivers are at bursting point. The Senator made that very point I have just made around the technical committee and the extension based on science and conditions, stating that the next outcomes are really important. He also talked about the incentives. I want to touch on what some of our farmers are doing already. A total of 2,500 farmers have already completed their AgNav assessments in one-to-one settings with their advisers. Our aim is to publish all habitats assessments together in quarter 1 of 2028. This was a point raised by Senator Daly, who expressed a concern about that. We have to get this approach right.”
“Also in attendance is the Minister, Deputy Browne, representing what his Department is doing in the area of water quality. Other attendees have included the EPA and Uisce Éireann because water quality is a green jersey issue. Farmers are doing their bit, but for us to be in the best position possible, we have to take this with a whole-of-government approach and a national approach whereby every arm of the State that has a role to play is held to account. I am happy that the Cabinet subcommittee on water is a big addition to this Government and to our efforts to improve water quality. I note the Senator's points also in relation to TAMS and slurry storage and the efforts we have made in that regard. I thank Senator Boyhan for the points he made. Our heart goes out to the people of Wexford, in particular, right now.”
“Senator Lynch made a point about agriculture not being the sole pressure on water quality. The Government recognises that. When we drew up the programme for Government, for which I was part of the negotiating team, we incorporated that commitment that had been made by the previous Taoiseach, Deputy Simon Harris, at the time to establish a subcommittee of the Cabinet on water quality. We know how powerful Cabinet subcommittees are for issues that cross over more than one Department. It is chaired by the Taoiseach of the day, Deputy Micheál Martin. We have had a number of meeting of the Cabinet subcommittee on water, which I attend, as well as some of my senior officials, addressing the work and the progress on the area of agriculture.”
“We are making efforts on generational renewal include our efforts on the nitrates derogation, my reform of our approach to TB and addressing the payment issues around ACRES. Every single one of those measures has the potential to instil confidence for the next generation and to help them recognise there is a more stable future in farming. Young farmers on derogation farms are more confident now that they can see a roadmap ahead and beyond 2028 whereby, if they meet these requirements, they have a good chance of having that bit of stability. In Timoleague last summer, I met a number of young farmers with a sense of hopelessness. Once the letter about the habitats directive came out, they had a strong sense of upset that this had been a challenge for them. This is a key part of our approach on generational renewal.”
“This was based on water quality and our commitments around the habitats directive. Therefore, what we do in the next three years based on science really matters. All of us are working together in that regard. I want to go through the points that have been raised. Senator Lynch made very good points. She talked about Timoleague and the catchment programme. I visited it myself last summer. She talked about generational renewal. I probably could not give a better example. When we talk about generation renewal and it comes up at budget time or in different discussions, it comes up in the context of something having been done and the question as to what is going to be done about generational renewal. The Senator's point is correct.”
“That committee has representatives of each of the 27 member states, including our own. Importantly, it is made up of technical experts representing each of the member states. There has been a lot of loose talk about the derogation as though it is a tradeable commodity. That is why I wanted to stress the point of the golden opportunity our farmers have. When people talk about the derogation as something that was given and can be taken away, without any reference to the science or technical nature, it completely undermines the committee that granted the decision to give this to us. Ultimately, the Commission has to work with us. It has to put forward the proposal and sign off on the implementing decision. The committee that made this decision comprised 27 technical experts from 27 member states.”
“Industry is now more plugged in and supportive. Senator Kennelly talked about Kerry and different co-ops across the way. Across every sector, industry is stepping up. We recognise that this is a critical part of their business model to support our farms in this endeavour. They are working with the Government. The ASSAP programme is an example where the Government is funding some of the ASSAP advisers. Industry is funding some as well. That type of collaboration means that, working together, we can achieve so much more. I also want to recognise the amazing team of officials in my Department. They are extremely committed public servants who have represented our cause at home and in Brussels in a great way. I talked a lot last year about the committee in Brussels.”
“I thank all the Senators for their very valuable input, their talking points and their thanks and recognition. This was very much a team effort. I recognise the collaboration that has taken place. Senator Paul Daly talked about the role of farmers and also the role of industry. There has been a very collaborative approach here. Farmers have worked hand in glove with my Department and our officials, and the industry has stepped up to the plate and played its part. I will touch on how it is doing that on an ongoing basis. I am satisfied with what I have seen. There was a recognition in all the contributions that while we have had huge uncertainty in the past, we have a golden opportunity during the next three years. There will be no excuses and all farmers will be completely focused on building on the good work of the past.”
“It is something that is very precious to us. We have it for a good reason, which is that our farming system is different. I look forward to working with everybody across the system over the next three years as we continue to improve our impact on water quality, address the issues of concern and put ourselves in the strongest position to maintain a derogation beyond 2028. I am happy to take on board Members' comments and observations and to come back to those points in my summing up.”
“My Department will not be found wanting in meeting our requirements. There are no guarantees with regard to that future outcome. There was only one guarantee open to me last summer. If I had not pursued the developments I have mentioned in respect of the habitats directive and appropriate assessment, it would have been guaranteed that no farmer in Ireland would have had a derogation on 1 January this year. Instead, we have negotiated a process that gives us time to address those concerns and that gives farmers time to continue with their efforts to improve water quality. We would not be where we are today without all the efforts farmers have made in respect of water quality to date. All of those combined efforts mean that Ireland is now the only member state that continues to be able to avail of a nitrates derogation in 2026.”
“The derogation allows us to maintain our grass-based system of farming, which is unique in an EU context. Given their capacity to grow grass, almost 50% of our dairy farmers are stocked above 170 kg N/ha. If their stocking rates were curtailed below current limits, it would impact the viability of these farms. It would also impact non-derogation farmers as there would be increased demand for land. It is vital that we use the next three years wisely to drive the improvements we need in our water quality by maintaining and further building on the momentum that exists across the sector. Securing the derogation has given us the opportunity to do this. We must embrace this opportunity. We have a golden opportunity. Compared to last year, the future is in our hands in relation to our ongoing efforts.”
“For example, the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership has a budget of €60 million, of which €50 million is ring-fenced for farmer payments to support targeted additional measures beyond regulatory requirements. Targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, grant aid is supporting investment in low-emission slurry spreading equipment and manure storage, with over €153 million paid to farm families since 2015 to support these investments. In addition, my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, along with industry, are currently funding approximately 60 agricultural sustainability support and advisory programme, ASSAP, advisers to provide tailored advice to individual farmers on water quality improvements.”
“The nitrates action programme, NAP, which has been in place since 2006, sets the baseline requirement for all farmers to minimise and reduce agricultural nutrient losses to water. It is renewed at least once every four years and each iteration has provided strengthened measures for water quality. That sixth NAP, signed into law by my colleague, the Minster, Deputy Browne, in early December, has provided the most robust set of measures to date and the basis to underpin our current derogation. It seeks to achieve the optimum combination of measures across regulation, knowledge transfer and awareness raising as well as incentivising the delivery of improvements in water quality. On this latter point, the Government is providing financial support for farmers going beyond regulatory requirements to improve water quality.”
“Given the water framework directive's 2027 target of all surface water bodies, with some minor exceptions, being in at least good ecological status and the fact that this target will not be met by any member state, it is understandable that the Commission is seeking assurances that the granting of a nitrates derogation is not impacting negatively on the objectives set under the directive. My Department is committed to completing the necessary assessments between now and 2028. We are actively working to roll them out on a catchment and sub-catchment basis. The level of support that currently exists across the agrifood sector to reduce agriculture’s impact on water quality is unprecedented.”
“In addition, derogation farmers in the Slaney, Barrow, Nore and Munster Blackwater river catchments will see a reduction in their chemical fertiliser allowance on grassland and a requirement for wider buffers or setbacks adjacent to water when applying chemical and organic fertilisers from 1 January 2028. Most significantly, in light of evolving case law at a European level and the Commission’s requests, Ireland has committed to assessing the impact the granting of individual derogations will have on the objectives set out under both the habitats directive and the water framework directive. As Ireland is the only country now availing of a nitrates derogation, there is an absolute requirement for us to demonstrate compliance with the habitats directive. This will be very challenging.”
“In this regard, the derogation extension reflects the culmination of the efforts we have made since Ireland's previous derogation was granted in 2022. One of the key highlights within this period was my Department's establishment of the agricultural water quality group in May 2023. This group has been key to the development of the collaborative approach that now exists across the agrifood sector to reduce its impact on water quality. We now have a nitrates derogation for the three years from 2026 to 2028, subject to a number of additional conditions. By the end of 2027, all derogation farmers must determine their nutrient balance using AgNav and undertake a grassland management training course.”
“Following significant engagement in November of last year, the European Commission proposed an implementing decision granting an extension to our derogation for a further three years. This was passed unanimously in a vote of EU member states at the nitrates committee in Brussels in December. It took significant effort, justification and data to achieve this outcome. For over a year, there has been ongoing bilateral engagement with the European Commission, complemented by presentations to our fellow member states on the EU nitrates committee. The significant level of engagement on water quality by our farmers and key stakeholders across the farm organisations and the agrifood industry was also key to enabling us to reach this point.”
“I thank Members for facilitating this debate on the nitrates derogation and its importance not just to our farmers, but to our rural economy and our overall efforts towards sustainability in all its forms. We recognise that to deliver environmental sustainability and improve our water quality, our farmers need to be economically sustainable. That goes to the heart of what the nitrates derogation does. It facilitates farmers to be profitable and to be able to invest in their farms and in measures to improve water quality. A key commitment in the programme for Government and a key priority for me, as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, was to ensure an extension to Ireland's nitrates derogation.”
“Both I and the Minister of State will lead the charge on that work drawing on the support of all Government colleagues. We will work together across Government to deliver on this commitment.”
“The new group will be chaired by an independent chair and will include representatives from the fishing organisations, aquaculture, seafood processing organisations, my Department and its agencies, and other relevant Departments and agencies. I, along with the Minister of State, will determine the terms of reference for the food vision-seafood group. We will appoint that independent chair and will request nominations for membership from relevant Departments and agencies. It is intended to hold the first meeting of the group in January 2026. The programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, commits to securing a sustainable future for the fisheries sector, while supporting coastal communities that rely on this activity for their livelihood.”
“Both I and the Minister of State have committed to engaging with colleagues across Government to assess what framework of supports may be available to the seafood sector, to explore options within the constraints of the EU and national Exchequer funding and relevant EU and national legislation, in particular, taking account of the constraints that can arise from EU state aid rules for the fisheries sector. I have discussed at Cabinet the need to establish a working group under the auspices of our Food Vision 2030 strategy to advance this commitment. A key priority for the food vision-seafood group will be to ensure that a platform of economic, environmental and social sustainability supports is available to the fisheries and seafood processing sectors and their coastal communities.”
“We will engage closely with the EU while it considers its position in light of the recent actions by Norway, the UK, Iceland and the Faroes. Meanwhile, we must recognise that our fishing and seafood sector must be supported through this very difficult time. Having had a number of engagements with the sector over the past two weeks, both with An Taoiseach and before the Council in Brussels, I am clear that despite the resilience shown by the sector, a whole-of-government approach is required to support it through this particular challenge.”
“A key question both this afternoon and at the committee yesterday was what legal action Ireland will take in respect of the exclusion of Ireland's Hague preferences from the compromise text. The Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, was quite clear at the committee yesterday, and I echo his view, that legal advice will be sought on any and all further actions that may be possible. We will consider that advice carefully. However, the more important message from our fishing sector is that it wants fish. Fish must be managed sustainably as when a stock is depleted, it will stay that way unless we take actions to support its regrowth. The Minister of State has outlined the most recent development in relation to the total allowable catch of mackerel in the Atlantic.”
“There has been strong opposition from some member states to the principle of the Hague preferences. These member states argued that they were taken into account when allocation keys were first established in 1983. With the Common Fisheries Policy framework regulation, the Hague preferences are recognised as forming part of relative stability in the allocation of fish stocks between member states. Ireland has consistently and successfully argued that relative stability has therefore to be applied when taking due account of prior Hague agreements. However, these were the subject of a European Court of Justice judgment in 1998, which convinced some member states the application of the Hague preferences takes place at the discretion of the Council rather than being an automatic legal entitlement for Ireland.”
“This commitment was later quantified as specified minimum quantities of quota for certain fish stocks to be allocated to certain fisheries-dependent communities. The regions to which they applied were Ireland and northern parts of the UK. The Hague preferences are invoked during the annual TAC and quota process. They have to be agreed by member states of the December council and are often the subject of difficult negotiations. Following the UK's withdrawal from the, EU Ireland is the only member state that benefits from these preferences. While the additional quota benefits Irish fishers, it must come from somewhere else. The countries affected by this were Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Germany and, to a modest extent, Poland. However, other than mackerel, it has a very low impact on Germany and Netherlands.”
“The system grants Ireland a larger share of certain stocks when the absolute amounts allocated via the relative stability share fall below a certain level. This was to mitigate the low residence stability share Ireland that was achieved by Ireland's underdeveloped sector based on the track record in the years immediately after accession in 1973 and considering the substantial additional waters available to the EEC-EU when Ireland expanded its exclusive economic zone from 1976 onwards. The Hague preferences are based on commitments made in annex 7 of the Council resolution on 3 November 1976 - the Hague resolution - to take account of the vital needs of communities that were especially dependent on fishing when allocating fishing quotas to each of the member states.”
“The development of alternative sources of bait is vitally important in supporting the inshore sector's viability. BIM and ATU Galway are working on innovative solutions, including green crab-based bait blocks. Initial trials have shown promising results with further testing planned in 2026. A common theme of the contributions has been the implication of Ireland's Hague preferences. We need to be clear as we were last week on what the Hague preferences are. To recap, the Hague preference system recognises Ireland's heavy dependency on the stocks in the waters around Ireland and the fact that we have relatively low quota entitlements to these stocks, particularly whitefish, under the Common Fisheries Policy.”
“This is a reduction from last year of valuable stocks such as mackerel and nephrops but we will ensure that this quota is managed carefully. The quota management advisory committee, which includes representatives of all sectors of the industry, the marine agencies and my Department, has already engaged on planning for 2026. While cognisant of the impact the reduction of quarter for important species will have on our fleet, we also need to be conscious of the potential impact of reduced quota on our inshore fleet. The reduction in quota from pelagic species like mackerel and blue whiting is unlikely to shift additional focus to non-quota stocks in the short term. However, it will have an impact on the price of bait. The sector reports that bait accounts for approximately 20% of inshore vessel expenses.”
“I thank Deputies for their contributions and the Minister of State for his contribution earlier in the session, for being here for the entire debate and for his ongoing stellar work in what has been a really difficult year. I also recognise also the presence of representatives of industry. I thank them for being in Brussels last week. It was good to meet with them over there. I also thank them also for their close collaboration. Their close work with the Minister of State has given us the best chance to work together as well as we can in what has been a really difficult time. The range and the passion in the contributions speak to the importance this issue holds in our rural coastal communities. It is important to remember that Ireland has received 120,000 tonnes of quota to fish for 2026.”
“I will touch on one last point, which has been raised in earlier contributions and will no doubt continue to be raised, that is, a potential urban-rural divide. I absolutely agree with the previous contributors who said this is not and should not be about an urban-rural divide. I do not believe it is, either. This Bill can be much better divided along the lines of those who believe we can achieve so much more when we work to understand each other's perspectives and those who believe having the loudest voice in the room gives them the right to dictate how everyone else should live their lives. That is an important point that I hope is reflected in this debate today. I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach for the opportunity to speak on this Bill.”
“-----because of the impact it would have on the worm and mayfly. The profile of animal welfare has never been higher and the prominence it receives in national, regional and social media reflects the seriousness with which this issue is treated by stakeholders, welfare groups, the public and this Government. On 19 November, I launched the six-week public consultation that will run to early January 2026 inviting views to inform the development of a new animal welfare strategy for the period 2026-2030. I encourage all interested stakeholders to provide feedback and comments and make recommendations around the direction, themes and thrust of the new animal health and welfare strategy. To legislate in isolation rather than on the basis of consultation and evidence risks unintended consequences and laws that do not work in practice.”
“Deputy Coppinger and People Before Profit are pursuing this as a wedge issue, specifically designed to be emotive and confrontational. If they were honest, this is only a starting point for them. I have no doubt there are many other rural activities they would also like to ban.”
“I have not seen many accounts online seeking to play on people's emotions posting photos of dead lambs or hens that have been attacked by foxes. We all know that anyone who has backyard hens generally always has a story about the night the fox came. Research shows that red foxes are widespread across Ireland and can be found in every county. The nature of Ireland's wildly-farmed, fragmented landscape and the absence of an apex predator means it lends itself to high fox densities. Indeed, Deputy Coppinger listed many of the animals of which the fox is a predator in her opening address and acknowledged that the fox does not have a natural predator. Hunting provides one of the necessary means of controlling the fox population in Ireland.”
“Ireland is officially free of the zoonotic tapeworm echinococcus multilocularis. This is a severe tapeworm that causes debilitating diseases in humans. Annual surveillance in shot foxes provides evidence to prove the absence of the disease in Ireland, which allows us to require that all dogs entering the country are given preventative treatment prior to their arrival here, thus protecting public health as well as domestic pets and wildlife. This work would not be possible under the legislation as it is proposed before the House today. In respect of the pest control point, while attempts have been made to downplay this, the reality is that foxes prey on livestock and other wildlife such as rare ground-nesting birds, which is something Deputy Coppinger admitted to in her opening address.”
“Under this Bill, however, that activity would not be permissible at all. As such, this Bill would ban the hunting of foxes with hounds, trail hunting with hounds and the shooting of foxes for pest control, which is carried out to protect livestock and forms an important source of foxes for disease surveillance purposes.”
“The Bill, as it is formed and worded, proposes to ban all hunting for foxes, regardless of the purpose and manner in which that hunting is carried out. It also proposes a ban on trail hunting. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman made the point that he accepts farmers need to shoot foxes on occasion as a control mechanism but, under this Bill, that activity would be illegal into the future. Deputy Healy touched on that as well. I gather from what he said that his understanding is that this normal activity could still happen.”
“Beyond those directly affected, we must also be conscious of the wider negative impacts this could have for the farriers and vets who benefit from their business, the feed suppliers who rely on their custom, the farmers who avail of the fallen animal collection service they provide, which is most important, the local hospitality in places where commerce can be quiet, especially during the winter season and, indeed, the wider Irish equine sector too as we close down pathways for young riders passionate about horses, undermine the same associations that run our point-to-point races so successfully and lose important jobs and economic activity in rural areas where there are fewer alternatives. I also wish to reference the legislation itself.”
“People employed by hunting associations or who work in the kennels and care for the dogs and horses have woken up this morning not knowing whether there is a future for their job or animals when they go to bed tonight. It is entirely disproportionate to try to make criminals of these people overnight for engaging in an activity that, in many cases, stretches back generations.”
“There has been no attempt to engage with the very community and cohort of people who would be most affected by such a move or effort to understand the opposite point of view. Decisions could be made today that fundamentally change people's lives and that of their communities and those making that decision remain entirely oblivious of the consequences by virtue of the fact that the activity is invisible to them. I recognise that this is a deeply emotive issue, one which people on both sides of the argument feel passionately about. Fox hunting represents a long-held tradition and is a part of a way of life for those involved. While it is not an activity the vast majority of people engage in, it means an awful lot to the people who do.”
“On conviction of indictment, offences are liable to a fine not exceeding €250,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both. In addition to these existing legislative protections, it is important to frame the context of today's debate beyond that of a binary choice between being with us or against us. To do so is deeply cynical and exploitative and it allows the serious issue of animal welfare to be used as a Trojan horse for a more divisive agenda. I have heard Deputies in this House who support a ban say they have never met anyone who has been on a hunt or, indeed, seen a hunt themselves. I find it incredible that this is used as a selling point to advocate for a ban.”
“The codes also take into account local concerns and the concerns of landowners on whose land hunting takes place. Foxes are not a protected species under the wildlife Acts in Ireland and it is legal to hunt foxes under the legislation. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne, has no plans to change the legislation with regard to foxes at this time. Where a specific case of animal neglect or cruelty is identified, offences may be prosecuted under the Act. There are strict penalties that apply for offences under section 12 of this Act. On summary conviction, offences are liable to a class A fine to a maximum of €5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.”
“The Bill, as set out by Deputy Coppinger, proposes to amend section 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 which currently provides an exemption for the lawful hunting of an animal. Deputies will be aware that section of 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act was fully discussed and approved by the Oireachtas previously. It is important to note that hunting in Ireland today is not unregulated. Rather, it operates under clear codes of conduct, licensing, welfare standards and full insurance requirements. In accordance with section 25 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act, codes of conduct have been adopted by the members of the Hunting Association of Ireland that detail the conduct to be adhered to in respect of the hunting of foxes and treatment of animals during the hunt.”
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this proposal from Deputy Coppinger. I wish to state clearly at the outset that I and my Department take the matter of animal welfare most seriously. My Department devotes considerable resources to protect the well-being of animals and deal with breaches of animal welfare legislation when they occur. The Government is fully committed to promoting good practices that respect the welfare of all animals. On behalf of the Government, I am putting forward our stance to oppose the Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill 2025, the reasons for which I will outline in my address this morning. The Government fully recognises the emotive nature of this policy area, which has been the subject of debate over many years.”
“I move: That it be an instruction to the Select Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy on the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, that pursuant to Standing Order 194(2), the Committee has power to make amendments to the Bill which are outside the scope of the existing provisions of the Bill in order to introduce further amendments to the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, to make provision in relation to the appointment of the Director General and directors of the Environmental Protection Agency and to make provision in relation to offences relating to litter and for that purpose to amend the Litter Pollution Act 1997, and to make other consequential amendments required to take account of the changes above.”
“Then discussions at national and regional levels will be down the line. I will do everything in that regard at that point but right now, it is about getting Europe to recognise the importance of food security, as Deputy Smith has said. It is an integral part of everything we do. The EU was a peace project.”
“We get as much out of the pot in Europe as we can for our farmers because Ireland is a net contributor to the overall multi-financial annual financial framework. Some 75% of our receipts for the entire Exchequer come back through the Common Agricultural Policy. If we allow that to be reduced, the overall economy, urban dwellers as well as rural dwellers across Ireland, suffers. Therefore, I am continuing to fight. It is really important that the CAP negotiations continue in line and in tandem with the multi-annual financial framework negotiations as well. We will continue to work across government, as will the Tánaiste as Minister for Finance, the Taoiseach and everybody, to get the most into the Common Agricultural Policy as we can because that matters to Ireland overall.”
“I thank Deputies Bennet, Smith and Moynihan for raising what gets to the heart of the CAP - having enough money it in. What has been ring-fenced is 80%. It is not enough. I agree with Deputies Smith and Moynihan in terms of the importance of generational renewal, the next generation and certainty for all farmers. In direct answer to Deputy Bennett's point around the NRPP and the national regional plan, what Europe is saying is that it has less money than it had the last time and we should go back to our country and fight it out over here. We are all saying there is not enough from Europe. I have sharp elbows and I can assure everyone in the House that when the time comes to fight the corner of agriculture at the Cabinet table, I will do that. However, if I do that now, Europe will say we are grand as we got the money locally.”
“At the same time as these discussions are happening, discussions are happening around the overall budget, the multiannual financial framework and where that is at. I am working with colleagues across all levels of Government to make sure that we get the best possible return. The CAP is critical for our overall economy, our farmers, our rural economy and beyond.”
“On the margins of the Council, I have held many bilateral meetings with my ministerial counterparts and have engaged with nearly all member states at this point. These discussions have provided a valuable opportunity to exchange views on the Commission’s proposals and to emphasise our shared priorities for a strong, well-funded and workable CAP that supports farm incomes, food security and rural resilience. I am having all of these bilateral meetings and engaging with colleagues to explain Ireland's priorities as well as to understand theirs. From 1 July next year, Ireland will have the Presidency of the EU and if I am still in this role, God willing, I will be in the chair and have the Presidency of the AGRIFISH Council, which will give us an opportunity to really shape this.”