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Simon Harris answers questions from farmers at the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin, ahead of the General Election Alamy Stock Photo

Simon Harris says politicians 'have to press reset on relationship with farmers'

Political leaders visited the National Council of the Irish Farmers’ Association in Dublin ahead of the general election.

THERE NEEDS TO be a reset in the relationship between Irish politicians and farmers, Taoiseach Simon Harris has said.

Speaking during a visit to the National Council of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) in Dublin, Harris said politicians talk about farming in a way they would not about any other part of the Irish economy.

He also said that the farming community requires support to help the sector to meet ambitious environmental targets.

The agriculture sector was the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions last year, making up 34.3% of Ireland’s emissions.

And though agriculture emissions fell by 4.6% in 2023 when compared to 2022, that represents only a 2.9% fall in emissions since 2018.

The Climate Change Advisory Council’s latest progress report on the 2024 Climate Action Plan highlighted continued progress towards Ireland’s climate targets but cautioned that there is still work to be done when it comes to organic farming.

Speaking to the media ahead of addressing the national council of the IFA, Harris said: “I think we have to press reset on the relationship with farmers.

“I definitely know from speaking to farmers that they feel that they are talked at and talked down to far too often.

“There is a climate emergency in the world, there is no doubt about that, the planet is on fire and there is a need to take action, but the responsibility for all of that doesn’t all fall to farmers.

“I hear politicians talking about farming in a way they wouldn’t talk about any other part of the Irish economy.

“We have to help farmers, we have to help them transition.

“Yes, we need to take climate action but we also need to produce food, it is a really important part of our Irish economic model.

“At a time when the risk of a trans-Atlantic trade shock is rising and the impact that can have on foreign direct investment in Ireland and in Europe, it is more important than ever that we support Irish indigenous business.

“There is nothing more indigenous than Irish farming.”

The Fine Gael leader said politicians needs to realise that farming is “not a hobby”.

He added: “When parties, including my own, publish our manifestos, a lot of the projects in those manifestos are funding off the back of tax receipts paid by the agri-food sector in Ireland.”

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald also addressed the National Council today.

In his address, Martin said government needed to “break the cycle of insecurity” which farmers face.

He said: “I want us to move on to a new agenda of permanent security for farming and for the expansion of our agri-food industry as an economic anchor for our country.

“In the manifesto we released yesterday we provide over 280 million euro per year in new funding for agriculture.”

-With additional reporting from Diarmuid Pepper

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    Mute Daniel Skelton
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    Jun 5th 2024, 4:36 PM

    I didn’t even know she was still going… wow! Now that is what you call dedication. Fair play to her!

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    Mute David Murray
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    Jun 5th 2024, 9:00 PM

    @Daniel Skelton: That’s nothing compared to the Limerick Actor Willie O’Dea who has provided great entertainment and drama to the great people of the mid west coming up now
    on 50 years or so it seems.

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    Mute Ray Buckley
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    Jun 5th 2024, 5:24 PM

    She opened Nutgrove Shopping Centre , there ya go , fact of the day .

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    Mute Karl Gallagher
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    Jun 5th 2024, 8:32 PM

    @Ray Buckley: Nutgrove Shopping Centre was the first McDonald’s drive thru restaurant in Europe. Another fact for you.

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    Mute Howyafixed
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    Jun 5th 2024, 4:37 PM

    50 years on the soap? She must be clean as a whistle!

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    Mute Don Johnson
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    Jun 5th 2024, 4:44 PM

    Saw her in a forest in Kerry once.

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    Mute Super241946
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    Jun 6th 2024, 8:31 PM

    @Don Johnson: Saw her at an exhibition in Earl’s Court in London looking despondent and unrecognised.

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    Mute Sean Money
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    Jun 5th 2024, 5:55 PM

    She is lovely little thing and brings back memories of the gerbil i used to have as a pet, Gary.

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    Mute larry smith
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    Jun 5th 2024, 6:00 PM

    ET’s. Ma

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    Mute John O brien
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    Jun 5th 2024, 4:39 PM

    Good Riddance &bring the rest of em with ya

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    Mute brian madden
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    Jun 5th 2024, 5:05 PM

    @John O brien: you seem in good form today John

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    Mute Shane O Mac
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    Jun 5th 2024, 5:09 PM

    @John O brien: do you want salt with that chip on your shoulder

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    Mute David Harries
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    Jun 5th 2024, 6:21 PM

    @John O brien: I was always told if you can’t say anything nice say nothing at all it only shows your mentality

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    Mute damien leen
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    Jun 5th 2024, 6:58 PM

    @David Harries: so if it’s not nice say nothing …the truth sometimes is not nice ..should we not tell the truth either cause it’s not nice?!

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jun 5th 2024, 10:11 PM

    @damien leen: those who delight in being brutally honest frequently value the brutality far more than the honesty.

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    Mute damien leen
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    Jun 5th 2024, 10:38 PM

    @Setanta O’Toole: Jesus wept!

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    Mute John O brien
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    Jun 6th 2024, 6:35 AM

    @brian madden: I’m in great form thanks

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    Mute Ewan O'Doherty
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    Jun 6th 2024, 6:46 AM

    @John O brien:
    If you have nothing decent to say about anyone, whoever they may be, I for one would suggest that you keep thoughts and comments like that to yourself

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    Mute F Fitzgerald
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    Jun 6th 2024, 9:16 PM

    @damien leen: “telling the truth” isn’t an issue when it’s about who likes or doesn’t like one television soap opera.

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jun 5th 2024, 10:06 PM

    Some going. Fair play to her.

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    Mute John Scully
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    Jun 5th 2024, 5:31 PM

    How many champions leagues is that now

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    Jun 5th 2024, 8:19 PM

    Luka Modrić just signed a 1 year contract

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    Jun 5th 2024, 7:55 PM

    She’s gone full-time with the mutant ninja turtles!

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    Mute Jemima Stalin
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    Jun 5th 2024, 6:58 PM

    Pleae kill me

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