I want to raise the serious issues and challenges raising farmers’ livelihoods and that of the agricultural sector. Irish farmers are facing some key challenges around the climate action Bill, CAP reform and eco-schemes, as well as in respect of Government supports for the agricultural sector. It is critical that the Government increases funding to deliver proper supports to our most vulnerable livestock, sheep and tillage sectors. I come from a rural constituency where suckler and sheep farming is of an enormous importance to our rural economy. Farmers need targeted payments of €300 per suckler cow and €30 per ewe. I ask the Minister that he relays this message back to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, as well as to his Cabinet colleagues. We need to protect farmers’ incomes and the rural economy into the future, on the back of some serious reform.

The rural economy and agriculture remain, and will continue to be, an important part of our economy. More importantly, they will remain important parts of rural Ireland. I will raise directly with the Minister the matters Deputy Dillon has raised regarding farm incomes, how these will be struck with regard to a new CAP deal and the flexibilities that will be allowed around alternatives to supplement farming income. The Government will seriously look at these. I will raise the points that the Deputy has brought up here directly with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue. I will ask him to respond to the Deputy.