Is the Taoiseach aware, despite what one might be led to believe, that the size of the national herd in Ireland is the same size now as it was when we joined the European Union 50 years ago? In that time, emissions of greenhouse gases have increased exponentially in other sectors in Ireland. The demand for meat and dairy produce has also increased exponentially around the world. If it is not met from Ireland, it will be met from elsewhere, notably, South America. What has changed is that Irish farmers have incurred huge debts as a result of being encouraged by successive Governments, of which the Taoiseach was a member, to move from beef to dairy. Many farmers invested vast amounts of money, encouraged by the Government and paid out by the banks, that they now owe. Does the Taoiseach understand their frustration as we now talk about culling a national herd back to numbers less than when we joined the EU? They feel they are being scapegoated for other sectors.

The only people talking about culling the national herd seem to be from the Opposition. Ultimately, we are talking about a Government climate action plan that sets very ambitious targets for how we reduce our emissions profile while continuing to produce top-quality food, as our farmers do throughout the country. Farmers who made the significant investments the Deputy talked about have been supported by the State through targeted agricultural modernisation scheme grants, and other supports in those areas, in order to be able to produce that food more sustainably into the future. We will continue to support our agriculture and farming sector in doing that.

Is the EPA report an Opposition report?

It is an academic report that we will consider.