Speaking today 28th July 2022, Green Party TD for Carlow-Kilkenny and Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, said:
"I welcome this deal, which provides much-needed certainty to farm families and enables us to get on with the real work of delivering on the target with on-the-ground measures. As a rural Green TD, I know how challenging this will be for the farming community to achieve and I'm committed to working with them to support implementation.
At the end of the day, this isn't about 'us versus them' narratives, finger pointing or political wins. Climate change is with us, causing devastation across Europe and the world. These targets are about ensuring a livable future for everyone, and a stable climate, food security and resilient rural economies are fundamental aspects of that.
We have an opportunity here and my focus is on a positive vision for the future of rural Ireland, where farmers are paid to deliver results for carbon, nature and water, and earn a good income for producing high quality food.
I'll be working across Government, with farmers and with civil society to deliver fast and meaningful action. Farmers are worried and we need to reassure them that we will support them every step of the way to play the critical role that only they can in helping us to achieve our shared goals. I firmly believe that the only way forward is together."