An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2025-12-09
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Noel O'Donovan (FG), Nominated by the Taoiseach

Sometimes we get asked by people of a younger generation and various generations what politics is about and about the importance of it. Today's results in terms of the extension of a derogation explains the importance of politics and representation in politics, where we listen, understand issues, lobby and try to persuade decision makers of the importance of certain policy decisions. Today's decision on the extension of derogation is not just a win for the farming community, it is a win for the totality of rural Ireland and the rural social fabric in our communities. I pay tribute to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, those at all levels of government and Department officials, but in particular, our Minister for agriculture, for their work in securing the derogation for this country. It was a particularly difficult topic over the past number of years, but the Minister has taken it on quite seriously, engaged with farmers, listened and visited west Cork during the summer months. We have all seen his conviction in terms of supporting it, and we have achieved the result with an extension. Some 66% of Carbery Group suppliers in west Cork are in the derogation. Some of these are big farmers with 200 to 300 cows, but 43% have zero to 70 cow operations and 77% have 70 to 120 cows. It is actually small, indigenous farmers within our communities who are going to benefit from this derogation. I put on record my appreciation for the Minister's involvement.
Following on, as with any issue when there is a win, there are challenges going forward in other areas, and in terms of the fishing community, there are important decisions coming up. With successes, we always move on to the next issue. I wish the Minister well in terms of those issues that are going to be coming up because sustaining rural life, whether in terms of fishing, farming or tourism, is really important. Yesterday, I visited Bere Island, on the periphery of west Cork, to see some of the challenges they have there, living on a rural island. There are still some challenges there. However, today is a positive day. Tomorrow and so forth we will have other issues to raise, but I put on record the appreciation for the Minister for this result, because it is positive. Let it not go unsaid either that there are challenges in terms of water quality. The farming community has acted well so far, but there are still challenges. The committee that was set up by the Department, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste is an overall water quality committee, not a derogation committee. It includes EPA members and Department officials. Let us work ahead to improve water quality in the years ahead. However, this is a positive decision for rural communities and sustaining our rural fabric.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-12-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:26+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-09