It is not an exaggeration to say that the tillage sector in Ireland is facing an enormous crisis. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon, is very aware of this. As part of the Government's climate action plan, it is intended that we will have 400,000 ha in tillage by 2030. We are not going to achieve that, particularly given that, since 2022, 1,400 farmers have left tillage. Despite a good summer harvest, prices are not there for tillage farmers. We are also facing the challenge of cheap imports from outside the European Union. This matter is also critical in terms of developing markets. The Minister will be aware of the hope to establish a commercial flour mill again in Ireland at Ballindaggan, County Wexford. The loss of tillage production has an impact on many other areas of agriculture. It is critical. I am not expecting the Minister to reveal what is in the budget, but I would like to hear assurances from the Government that serious consideration will be given to the crisis facing tillage at present.

I thank Deputy Byrne for raising this important issue. He touched on the heart of the challenge. It has been three really difficult years for the tillage sector, and for tillage farmers in particular, due to weather, prices and ongoing challenges. The tillage sector is an incredibly important component of the overall agricultural sector. Farmers are very dependent on one another. We are aware of that. Obviously, my budget negotiations are ongoing in terms of any financial aspects and my overall budget. Deputy Byrne touched on the processing element, in which there are opportunities we are exploring and want to see developed, for example, the opportunity in the use of native grains in our feed, the very positive impact that has on the carbon footprint for them and what that can mean for their customers, and the opportunity provided through native grain use in Irish whiskey and making sure that is fully exploited. These are all key points that can add value along the way. Yes, there is the short-term pressure on price right now for the sector, but the long-term sustainability of the tillage sector involves all those components coming together. That is something I am determined to continue working on with colleagues across Government.