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.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,322 lines we hold for Martin Heydon, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 18 of 27.
“I emphasised that the CAP must remain a policy that works in practice – one that delivers stability and predictability for farmers while remaining manageable for national administrations. We do not want loads of resources to be used for the administration of the schemes; we want appropriate simplification of administration, which benefits the farmers. We also want appropriate simplification for farmers in real terms, which previous CAPs have failed to deliver despite the best of intentions. The failure was not deliberate, but in Brussels since January I have seen that things that the best of intentions would lead people to believe are simplified can be very different in practice. What suits one country may not suit another and that is why elements of subsidiarity and national flexibility are very important.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this point. Of all the big issues we are dealing with and will discuss in this House, be it the budget just passed or all the other challenges, nothing is as central as the CAP, because it sets out the framework for the seven years beyond 2027. At the most recent Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting, held in Brussels in September 2025, I took the opportunity to outline that the proposed governance and structure of the post-2027 multi-annual financial framework, MFF, or the overall European budget, represents a major change in how the CAP will operate, with national and regional partnership plans, NRPPs, replacing the existing two-pillar model, which has worked so well for the Irish farming system for so long.”
“This confirms the reasons farmers are taking so many steps to reduce emissions and contribute to climate resilience, but we need to be practical about the impact storms will have. That is why I thank the Deputy for this question. I look forward to working with him on this in the future.”
“I thank the Deputy. I have one last point. To ensure farmers are more resilient in advance of weather events, I have announced plans to introduce grant support under TAMS for the replacement of roofs. Up to now, TAMS covered only new structures. A farmer could not modify an existing structure under it. Subject to appropriate professional analysis confirming that a storm-damaged structure is sound and that it is only the roof that has blown off, a TAMS grant will cover the replacement. That avoids having to knock a perfectly good shed instead of just replacing the purlins of the roof. This is another practical measure. In the past, we did not believe we would have to introduce it. We did not think these storms would be so ferocious.”
“This is why grant aid is available under TAMS 3 for standalone solar water pumps and solar fencing, which operate off grid, allowing operation during power outages. This is another example of a practical intervention we are supporting to improve off-grid resilience should farmers be affected by a loss of power over a sustained period.”
“Absolutely. The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, and I intervened with emergency supports for the horticulture and forestry sectors. The measures I introduced under TAMS and to change the rules around TAMS were all in response to what was an absolutely seismic weather event. It is really important that we learn from it because we know that, with climate change, we are likely to see more of these events. Although they feel like they arise once in a generation, unfortunately we have to prepare for the fact that they are going to become commonplace, and that is why the Deputy’s question was very well placed. It is about learning from these events. The scale of the damage to our forestry estate alone was enormous, as the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, will tell the Deputy.”
“The scheme supports new installations and will help farmers to become more resilient to future weather events by supporting investment in equipment that can restore power quickly after storms. I visited affected farms in the Leitrim area in the immediate aftermath of Storm Éowyn. This was in my first few days as Minister for agriculture. I saw at first hand a dairy farm that had its power lines flattened by wind-blown trees from a plantation nearby. The farmer was able to continue to operate because of a PTO-driven generator. I recognised the importance of this and knew we needed to support more farmers to get these generators in the future. This was one of a number of practical responses.”
“The recommendations from the review will feed into the work already under way across government to bolster our preparedness for severe weather events. A number of measures were introduced by my Department to assist those impacted by Storm Éowyn. The targeted reopening of the 2025 scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector was facilitated to deal only with growers proposing investments in response to the storm damage. The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, was actively involved in this. A three-week tranche of the targeted agriculture modernisation scheme 3, TAMS 3, was opened in March to support farmers after Storm Éowyn, providing grant aid for backup power-take-off, PTO, generators and other equipment.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising what is an important issue. In the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, the Government increased its focus on storm preparedness and building resilience. My Department has been contributing to an extensive review of the whole-of-government response to the storm. The review, co-ordinated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is examining all aspects of the response with a view to identifying key lessons across all sectors. A steering group and two subgroups, on humanitarian assistance and on critical infrastructure and essential services, have been formed, with membership drawn from across Departments, utility and energy suppliers, principal response agencies, the transport sector and local authorities. It is expected that the review will be brought to the Government shortly.”
“In line with commission’s recommendation to bring more certainty to succession planning, the relief will be extended by four years instead of the normal three years for such measures. On farm restructuring, capital gains tax relief supports the reduction of farm fragmentation, which makes farms more efficient, contributing to both economic and environmental sustainability. This is matched with complementary stamp duty for farm consolidation relief. Both of these reliefs have been extended for a longer period of four years, which is the maximum under state aid rules. As I said, budget 2026 represents the first of five budgets this Government will deliver. It is an important first step that will serve to protect and grow Ireland's agrifood sector and the significant contribution it makes to our rural and national economy.”
“I was struck by the presentation earlier from representatives of the Social Democrats, who in their pre-budget submission talked about choices. The proposal to reduce that 90% capital acquisitions tax agricultural relief to 70%, which they would say would generate €60 million, would cut to the heart of what we are trying to do in area of generational renewal. Therefore, while some farmers might take the agricultural reliefs that exist for granted, I definitely do not, and Government definitely does not. They are there for a very good reason, to make sure we get that next generation of young farmers in and support that smooth transition in an area of generational renewal where we have a real challenge. The 100% young trained farmers stamp duty relief is another vital support for young farmers, valued at around €20 million annually.”
“The commission on generational renewal in farming recently submitted its report to me. I am pleased that following extensive engagement with my colleague the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, budget 2026 takes the first steps to addressing the commission's recommendations, with a view to supporting the next generation of farmers. Agricultural relief will remain available under current terms to farm families to facilitate succession and the intergenerational transfer of farms. This is the single most important mechanism we have to facilitate the transfer of farms from one generation to the next. It delivers approximately €230 million annually in tax supports to farm families making this significant decision to transfer their land to the younger generation, and is one I never take for granted.”
“Recognising the importance of the dry stock sectors, I will be maintaining the existing overall allocation for the various livestock schemes, which will amount to €131 million in 2026. These targeted supports for beef, sheep and suckler farmers will assist farm incomes and encourage positive actions on farms. These sectors are vital to rural communities across the country. I will continue to fund the national genotyping programme to support my ambition of genotyping the entire national bovine herd. Before I conclude, I want to speak to the area of generational renewal. Supporting young farmers and facilitating generational renewal is critical to ensure a bright future for the agrifood sector. Budget 2026 will provide a number of practical measures for young farmers and their families.”
“Coming from a tillage heartland in County Kildare, I understand the vital contribution the sector makes to the wider agricultural ecosystem, and the Ceann Comhairle knows that too. At a challenging time for the sector, I will be supporting the tillage sector in 2026 with funding of at least €50 million through the protein aid scheme, the strong corporation measure and the new tillage support scheme. Having secured a funding allocation for the scheme, I intend to consult with stakeholders on its design and operation in due course to ensure we target this funding to those who need it most. These measures will support tillage farm incomes, and I very much view them as a strong base to work from in future years to protect the future of tillage farming in Ireland.”
“It has faced many challenges, but I am committed to restoring farmers' confidence in the scheme and supporting the efforts of almost 54,000 farmers who are contributing in a range of environmental, biodiversity, climate and water quality objectives. I have secured an increased allocation of €280 million for ACRES in 2026 to continue this work. Advance payments under this scheme are scheduled to commence on time next month. This is a scheme that has delivered over €500 million into farmers' pockets to support them in the efforts they have been making since just 2023. It is a really important scheme and I am delighted to have secured that additional funding for it. The tillage sector is a critical part of the agrifood sector, producing high-quality animal feed, bedding and ingredients for the food and drink industry.”
“I am a huge believer in the positive impact of TAMS as it supports competitiveness on Irish farms, generational renewal and important investments, such as slurry storage, that will be a critical component in supporting the case for the renewal of the nitrates derogation. There continues to be significant farmer demand for this scheme, with over 6,100 applications to the latest recent tranche, and this increased allocation of €88 million will require careful management. The agri-climate rural environment scheme, or ACRES as it is known, provides an important income support and underpins environmental action on farms.”
“Working in conjunction with industry, this provides free advice to farmers on positive measures they can undertake to continue to improve water quality. There is massive work and investment under way across the agrifood sector to reduce its impact on water. In response to my invitation, the European Commissioner responsible for the environment and water resilience, Ms Jessika Roswall, will visit Ireland in November and we will use that opportunity to demonstrate some of the investments being made by Irish farmers to improve water quality. Another key element in the support of the retention of the nitrates derogation is continued support for capital investments on farms. I have allocated €88 million to the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, capital investment scheme for 2026.”
“Improving water quality and securing the extension of Ireland's nitrates derogation is another key Government priority, and I remain committed to supporting farmers to achieve these twin objectives. With this in mind, the accelerated capital allowance, ACA, for slurry storage is a key agri-taxation measure and that will be renewed. This allowance will continue to incentivise investment in slurry storage capacity, making an important contribution to the overall effort to secure the retention of the nitrates derogation. This relief is being renewed for four years rather than the normal three to provide additional certainty for farmers in planning their investments. Budget 2026 also continues the funding committed under the €60 million European innovation partnership, Farming for Water, and Teagasc's agricultural catchments programme.”
“This additional funding will be vital in addressing this disease and I am confident it will help drive down the incidence of bovine TB levels for future years. This significant additional investment in the programme will support a wide range of impactful measures including additional targeted testing, additional resources for the wildlife programme, supporting non-farm biosecurity through direct support to farmers for improving biosecurity infrastructure on their farms and facilitating more engagement between farmers and their private veterinary practitioners. I am determined that no stone will be left unturned in our efforts to tackle the scourge of bovine TB. Another key priority of mine and the Department is the nitrates derogation.”
“I have secured an increased budget allocation of €85 million of new money for TB in 2026. This will result in a total budget of €157 million to help tackle the scourge of this disease. Based on our latest modeling, this will provide a fully funded revamped TB programme. It will focus on tackling the disease levels through the implementation of the measures laid out in the new TB action plan, which I launched last month. It is vital that we ultimately reduce the cost of this disease for all in the coming years. This allocation will support and enable farm families who are dealing with the stress of a TB outbreak to navigate a way out of a TB restriction and to protect those herds currently free from bovine TB from the stress of a TB outbreak.”
“In total, I have secured €170 million of additional funding for the sector in this budget, which brings my Department's Vote to over €2.3 billion. This represents a 9% increase in funding when compared with 2025 and highlights the Government's strong commitment to the sector. I am delivering substantial supports to continue the growth and expansion of the agrifood, forestry and fisheries sectors. In particular, it includes concrete measures to further progress key priorities of mine as Minister, including reducing bovine TB, maintaining the nitrates derogation, encouraging generational renewal and supporting the tillage and livestock sectors. I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts that bovine TB has on farmers and their families and on rural Ireland.”
“The sector is responsible for the stewardship of 4,500,000 ha of agricultural land and over 800,000 ha of forestry. It consists of 133,000 farms, 2,000 fishing vessels and aquaculture sites and some 2,000 food production and beverage enterprises. It employs over 171,000 people, as I said, and the impact of that employment of 6.4% is felt far more greatly in our rural areas due to the multiplier effect of that economic activity in those rural coastal areas. In an increasingly globalised world, the Irish agrifood sector is a world leader. This is the first of five budgets this Government and I, as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will deliver. We will not achieve everything in one budget, but budget 2026 marks an important first step to sustain rural ireland and help the tribe.”
“Budget 2026 will make a robust contribution to the development and resilience of the agrifood, fisheries and forestry sectors. We have a strong economy that, thanks to the hard work of the Irish people, has weathered multiple crises. However, we are living through a time of economic uncertainty. It is essential that we take every measure to protect jobs and livelihoods. Irelands's agrifood sector employs approximately 171,400 people, representing 6.4% of the total workforce but a far greater proportion in rural and coastal areas. It makes an enormous contribution to the overall economy but also to rural communities. The roots of this sector run deep. There is not a parish in the country that is not enriched by the contribution made by farmers or where some small business does not depend on the sector for its very existence.”
“I apologise for that but, as I say, I was not going to turn down a budget meeting because I have been waiting a while for one.”
“When I see the impact that TB is having on those negotiations and on my budget ask, it is clear to me the measures I am taking are about making sure we reduce that drain on this Department to free up more money to be spent on other areas of agriculture. I can think of so many other better ways to spend that money proactively supporting our farmers and our farm families. I thank the Cathaoirleach and Seanadóirí for this opportunity to address the motion put forward. I again thank this House for the opportunity to speak on the importance of agriculture to Ireland. I appreciate Senator Daly's allowing me to come in when I did. When the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish, takes my place, I will get a full readout of the contributions I will miss later on.”
“In addition, the financial working group also expanded the eligibility criteria under the income supplement scheme and hardship grant schemes. Due to the increased cost of the bovine TB programme in recent years, the focus is on reducing the levels of disease, which will reduce the impact of bovine TB on Irish farm families and reduce the cost of the programme, which has risen to more than €100 million in 2024. I accept the point the two Senators have made in relation to that cap and the challenges that provides. I have to leave, unfortunately, and cannot remain for the rest of this debate because I have my meeting on the budget with the Minister, Deputy Chambers, very shortly. Everybody who has an interest in agriculture wants that meeting to go as well as possible for me.”
“This Government is committed to ongoing constructive engagement with all stakeholders in order to help the farming community, but it is vital that all involved in the programme continue to work together to protect farmers from bovine TB. As part of the work of the bovine TB forum, a dedicated financial working group was established to review the financial modelling of various elements of the bovine TB eradication programme. As a result of the agreement reached in this group over the past two years, there have been great enhancements to the income supplement scheme, the hardship grant and depopulation grant as well as enhanced ceilings for select animals being removed as part of the On Farm market valuation scheme.”
“I believe the actions in this plan strike a balance between recognising the practicalities of livestock farming, which I am all too familiar with myself at home, and the necessity to tackle a disease which has been increasing year on year. This action plan represents the single largest reset of the bovine TB programme since its inception to put in place the measures necessary to tackle the current disease situation. It is vital that all necessary measures are taken to reduce disease levels. This has required difficult decisions, but it is important to remember that we need to take these decisions to protect the livelihoods of all farmers.”
“Behind each percentage point is another farm family and another farm that is enduring the significant emotional and financial hardship associated with a TB breakdown. That is why, on 9 September, I launched Bovine TB Action Plan: Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland, which has five measures and 30 actions underpinned by scientific research and veterinary expertise. Those five measures are supporting herds that are free of bovine TB to remain free; reducing the impact of wildlife on the spread of bovine TB; detecting and eliminating bovine TB infection as early as possible in herds with a bovine TB breakdown and avoiding a further breakdown; helping farmers to improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity; and reducing the impact of known high-risk animals in spreading bovine TB.”
“I am very determined, however, that the changes I have made and the plan I have put in place will mean that the huge drain this has been on agriculture Ministers' overall budgets and on farmers and farm families themselves, who have had to bear a huge cost and an emotional toll, will not continue at the current escalating scale. The programme for Government commits to review and update the national TB 2030 eradication strategy. As a sector, we have been grappling with this issue since the 1960s. Unfortunately, we have seen a significant increase in bovine TB levels nationally in recent years. Over 6,000 farm families were affected by a bovine TB outbreak in 2024, and herd incidence was at 6.04%. I am determined not only to stop this increase but to turn the dial and drive this trend back in a positive direction.”
“The aim of the scheme is to support farmers to continue to farm land designated as facing significant hardships due to remoteness, difficult topography, climatic problems and poor soil conditions. The annual indicative financial allocation for the intervention is €250 million. For 2025, advance payments commenced on 17 September with 100% of cleared applicants paid. To date, 89,000 applicants have been paid approximately €189 million. Senators Brady and P. J. Murphy have rightly raised the point about TB and the huge issue and cause of concern it is here. Reference to the C and AG's report has also been made. It is not the first year the C and AG has made a report, an intervention, on bovine TB.”
“These supports consist of Exchequer-funded and EU co-funded schemes specifically tailored to farmers engaged in beef, sheep, dairy beef and mixed enterprises. There are three dedicated beef schemes with budget allocations totalling €88 million operational in 2025 and two dedicated sheep schemes with a budget of €42 million. The CSP dairy beef welfare scheme has a budget allocation of €25 million over four years. Taken together, these national and CSP schemes aim to protect family farm incomes while playing a meaningful role in advancing the environmental sustainability of the sector. In relation to our farmers operating in areas of natural constraints, ANCs, ANC payments are a valuable source of income support for farmers situated in areas of natural and other specific constraints.”
“On the particular points that were raised about the gold standard of Irish grain, there are a lot of things we can do that constitute more medium-term support for the sector beyond just looking at financial supports on an annual basis for the sector. There are elements there that can support the value of Irish grain and its use more broadly, whether it is in animal feed, monetising that for the farmer or the end company or in the area of Irish whiskey, where we are looking at the Irish whiskey technical file. The drystock sector is a vital part of Irish agriculture. My Department has a wide array of measures and schemes aimed at promoting a viable, resilient and sustainable drystock sector.”
“The tillage sector is also being supported through other schemes, including the farming for water EIP, to which 1,400 tillage farmers have applied, the tillage capital investment scheme, ACRES and the organic farming scheme. The programme for Government commits to investing significantly in the tillage sector over five years to maintain and grow the sector. This Government will continue to work with the tillage sector and provide targeted Government support where possible, given the importance of the sector. In advance of the forthcoming budget, I will continue to work closely with my colleagues across the Government to ensure that essential, targeted supports are provided where possible.”
“I know a number of colleagues in the Seanad were at that meeting on the night. It is Government policy to maintain and increase the area under tillage crops. Recognising the importance of this sector, significant direct supports have been provided to tillage farmers in recent years. In February of this year, I announced €32.4 million in payments under the tillage and horticulture support scheme. The budget for protein aid has increased to €10 million annually from 2024. The straw incorporation measure has an allocation of €50 million over five years. It is a hugely popular scheme among tillage farmers and one I am a major supporter of. Approximately 66,000 ha were submitted for straw chopping in 2025, and I have committed to paying all farmers who have applied under the scheme this year.”
“We continue to engage intensively with stakeholders and the Commission as part of our efforts to secure a continuance of Ireland's nitrates derogation. A number of speakers, including Senator Boyhan, have raised the area of tillage, and I know the agriculture committee in the Oireachtas is dealing with that today as well. The tillage sector is of great importance and is a critical part of the agriculture sector, producing high-quality animal feed, bedding and ingredients for the food and drink industry. The sector is facing significant pressures, not least the challenging market outlook and downward price pressure this season. I recently engaged directly with farming organisations and their members to hear their concerns at a very well-attended public meeting that reflected the mood of the sector.”
“The derogation is contingent on improving water quality, and I have seen the commitment that is there among farmers and across the sector to that cause all across the country. I met with the European Commissioner for the environment and water resilience, Jessika Roswall, in Brussels last week. She accepted my invitation to Ireland and will come to Ireland in November to view first-hand the collaborative work being done by our agrifood sector to improve water quality. Her planned visit follows a visit by senior officials from the Commission's DG-ENV in recent weeks. It is my firm view that our outdoor, grass-based livestock production system justifies a continuation of our derogation, but we will also have to address compliance with the habitats directive as part of that renewal, which is the first time we have had to do that.”
“That is always a very sensitive discussion, whether there is more than one identified successor or none at all. An area which will have a significant bearing on generational renewal in many cases is the nitrates derogation. It is of critical importance not just to the farms and families that rely on it but also for the wider agriculture sector and the rural community. We are in the teeth of a renewal process, which requires the development of a new nitrates action programme and making a number of presentations to the nitrates committee, comprised of all member states. To date, three presentations have been made to the committee, the most recent of which was made less than two weeks ago.”
“Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers' decisions. The Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established to examine these issues, and earlier this month I announced publication of its report. It has produced a thorough analysis and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas. An implementation group within my Department is now working through and carefully considering the recommendations and will engage with agricultural stakeholders and the relevant public bodies. Ultimately, generational renewal happens at thousands of kitchen tables in farmhouses the length and breadth of the country. What I want to do as Minister is put structures in place that support farm families in the area of succession.”
“Pending that examination, Ireland's position on the EU-Mercosur agreement remains as clearly outlined in the programme for Government: "Work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal." Closer to home, I know an issue on many farmers' minds is succession and generational renewal. It is critical for the future economic viability and social sustainability of the sector that there is renewal. Every industry needs new blood, but we must also ensure that those who have given a lifetime to the sector and possess so much corporate knowledge are supported. Demographic challenges are not unique to Ireland, and the challenge of attracting young people into farming is recognised at national, EU and global levels.”
“We have repeatedly emphasised Ireland's requirement for credible, legally binding commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including climate, biodiversity and deforestation protections. The Government also has concerns about the preferential access given to Mercosur if South American farmers are not subject to the same sustainable farming standards as our farmers. We have repeatedly emphasised that the beef sector, in particular, is a very sensitive one which is vulnerable to negative impacts from the Mercosur agreement. The Commission recently announced its proposed approach to ratification. We will of course examine the proposal in detail to see if it provides any of the additional assurances required.”
“Trade missions play an important role in this work and I most recently led a trade mission to the US earlier this year, taking in important visits to Washington DC, Kentucky and Chicago. I remain committed to amplifying the promotion of agrifood trade in existing and new markets through collaboration with Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and our overseas embassy network. The issue of Mercosur was raised earlier. As a sector, agriculture for the most part benefits immensely from free trade, given that we export 90% of the food and drink we produce. We consider each trade agreement on its merits, and in all negotiations there will be offensive and defensive points. In relation to Mercosur, though, the Government has been actively engaged with EU counterparts to voice Ireland's concerns about the EU-Mercosur agreement.”
“They have served to underline the importance of the Irish agrifood sector as our largest indigenous exporting sector, one which has a strong well-earned international reputation as a supplier of high-quality, safe, nutritious and sustainably produced food and beverages. Our export markets are reasonably well balanced between the UK at 38% of export value and the EU market at 34%, while markets outside Europe account for the remaining 28%. Market diversification plays an important role in facilitating producers and businesses to navigate the current changing trade environment. Government is committed to maintaining and strengthening long-established relationships with existing markets and diversifying opportunities to deepen relationships with new and emerging high-growth markets.”
“My focus is on working closely with EU institutions and my counterparts in other member states to influence these ongoing negotiations. There is a long way to go and I see these proposals as an important starting point. It is my intention to seek an increase in funding to ensure an adequate allocation for Ireland as we progress through the detailed budget negotiations, which must be agreed by the Heads of State and Government in the European Council. Looking at trade and markets beyond the EU, recent geopolitical developments have been a stark reminder of the volatility in global markets.”
“Of course, the CAP is not the only lever; it is supplemented by regulation, industry intervention and other Government intervention at national level to achieve the series of objectives set out in our shared vision for the future of Irish agriculture, Food Vision 2030. The EU Commission proposals for the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, and CAP for 2028 to 2034 signal a significant change to the structure of the EU budget. The proposed structure of the next CAP looks quite different from what we have now. The proposals for the next MFF include a guaranteed minimum ring fence of almost €300 billion for CAP. The obvious concern is this represents only 80% of the budget in the current MFF, which is €387 billion.”
“The primary vehicle for supporting the sector over the medium term is the CAP. It is the driver for the transformation of Irish agriculture since our accession to the EU and it is as essential today as it was then. The Irish CAP strategic plan, CSP, has a significant budget of €9.8 billion over five years. More than 60% of that, just under €6 billion, is targeted at supporting farm incomes. Over €3.7 billion has been paid out since the start of 2023 on CAP schemes. This equates to an annual average payment of over €15,000 per farmer for all CAP-funded claims. To date, Ireland has the highest drawdown of funding for the CSP of all EU states.”
“There is not a parish in the country that is not enriched by the contribution of farmers or where some small business does not depend on the sector for its existence. We are living through a time of immense change and agriculture has not been immune to that, but we should never take our food or the people who produce it for granted. That is why this Government is committed to supporting the sector. I therefore welcome the opportunity to address Senators on a range of issues facing the sector, and I will try to touch on as many as possible. Some have been raised already and some will be raised afterwards. My Department provides a range of supports to the sector with estimated total expenditure of €3.3 billion in 2025, including €2.1 billion in Exchequer funding and €1.2 billion in direct payments under the Common Agricultural Policy.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Chathaoirligh agus a Sheanadóirí. I am pleased to be in the Upper House to contribute to this important debate. I thank all Members of the Seanad who tabled this Private Members' motion on agriculture and have given us this opportunity to air a really important topic for our whole country, not just our rural economy, though it is the bedrock of that. I thank those who have contributed already for the points made. I will go through a number of key issues in my brief. Reflecting back to when I was appointed Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, one of my priorities outlined at the start was to communicate a fresh understanding of what our farmers and the food industry contribute to Irish society and our economy. The roots of the sector run deep.”
“Deputy Byrne touched on the processing element, in which there are opportunities we are exploring and want to see developed, for example, the opportunity in the use of native grains in our feed, the very positive impact that has on the carbon footprint for them and what that can mean for their customers, and the opportunity provided through native grain use in Irish whiskey and making sure that is fully exploited. These are all key points that can add value along the way. Yes, there is the short-term pressure on price right now for the sector, but the long-term sustainability of the tillage sector involves all those components coming together. That is something I am determined to continue working on with colleagues across Government.”
“I thank Deputy Byrne for raising this important issue. He touched on the heart of the challenge. It has been three really difficult years for the tillage sector, and for tillage farmers in particular, due to weather, prices and ongoing challenges. The tillage sector is an incredibly important component of the overall agricultural sector. Farmers are very dependent on one another. We are aware of that. Obviously, my budget negotiations are ongoing in terms of any financial aspects and my overall budget.”