Nature restoration law
Deputy Danny Healy-Rae again attacked the nature restoration law as anti-farming, and the Minister of State defended it as a revised measure with safeguards for farmers. The exchange became heated, with both sides accusing the other of scaremongering.
I will respond to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae. Let us not do a disservice to farmers, who are doing a great deal in respect of nature restoration. What farmer does the Deputy know who does not want to see better biodiversity, improved water quality and lower emissions in his or her area? Farmers are working towards all of that as well as producing top-quality food. There is no need for scaremongering around the nature restoration law. What was voted on today has changed dramatically since the original draft. Farmers’ concerns were taken on board and safeguards are in place. The measures will only be voluntary, and the farmers who take them on will be rewarded financially for doing so.
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The farmers always took care of the land, more than the likes of some people------
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-----and the man beside the Minister of State.