Agricultural Sector: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2025-10-01
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Paraic Brady (FG), Agricultural Panel

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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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-10-01/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:10+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-10-01