Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development, Martin Kenny TD, has reacted today to Minister McConalogue’s announcement that he intends to establish a Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming.

Sinn Féin had previously tabled legislation in the Dáil to establish a commission on the future of family farming in early 2024.

Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said:

“In response to wide-ranging consultation with farmers across the length and breadth of the state, my colleagues Matt Carthy TD and Claire Kerrane TD developed legislation to formally establish a Commission on the Future of the Family Farm. This legislation was published and laid before the Dáil in March this year.

“Every week, I and my Sinn Féin colleagues hear about the difficulties facing smaller, family farmers. We have worked hard to develop solutions with them, because farmers have the answers to some of these issues. They want to stay in the sector, but it has to be viable.

“This government has been in place in one iteration or another since 2016. Yet they have delivered less and less every year, while putting a heavier burden on farmers and their families.

“There is no point in examining generational renewal within farming if it does not lead to a wide-ranging plan that will save the family farm. Our legislation provides for that.

“The Minister’s proposal is nothing but a cheap imitation of a Sinn Féin policy, but without any commitment to putting real meat on the bones to the issues in the sector.

“Our legislation is there and it has the ability to provide a way forward. This government has taken a policy for a Commission on Family Farming, and reduced it to nothing but a token gesture just months from a General Election.

“Farmers deserve better than pre-election stunts.”