I was born and raised in Kilkenny City but despite being a townie I've always had a strong interest in rural issues. My degree is in Rural Development and over the past 4 years as a TD and as Minister for Nature and Heritage, I've been engaging with and listening to constituents from rural areas and learning about their experiences.
A diverse and dynamic place, modern rural Ireland has a unique set of needs. Here, I'm setting out my vision for rural Carlow and Kilkenny and the priorities I will continue to focus on as your elected representative.
Where I stand on Family Farms
I'm a strong supporter of family farms. They are the backbone of Ireland's agricultural system and the wider rural economy. I believe that they are the solution to our environmental challenges, not the problem. We can't solve the issues we face without them and it's vitally important that we support, advise and pay farmers for the positive results they deliver for the environment. As Minister, I have visited dairy, beef, tillage and sheep farms the length and breadth of Ireland and have seen for myself the amazing work farmers are doing to make space for nature, protect water and tackle climate change. These people are pioneers and we should celebrate them and highlight their efforts. If re-elected, I will work to ensure that the Government's €3.1 billion Climate and Nature Fund, which I pushed for along with my Green Party colleagues, will be used to support family farmers.
Where I stand on Farm Viability & Succession
I recognise the significant challenges facing the sector, including succession, viability and young farmers gaining access to land. I'm deeply worried by what I hear from farmers about the threats these issues are posing to their futures. That's why I strongly welcome Minister McConalogue's announcement of a Commission on Generational Renewal in Agriculture. We urgently need solutions to ensure long-term viability, create a viable pathway for young farmers and develop a new vision for the future that puts food production, healthy nature, clean water and carbon management together, at its heart. I believe that new thinking is needed and that novel financial mechanisms that support sustainable agriculture could be part of that picture. If re-elected, I will work to ensure these kinds of schemes are co-designed in partnership with farmers, to maximise the impact of the Climate and Nature Fund.
Where I stand on Nitrates & Water Quality
I support the retention of the Nitrates Derogation and I firmly believe that the best way to secure it is by taking a science-based approach to improving water quality. Losing the Derogation does not necessarily mean that water quality will automatically improve, but it does mean significant negative consequences for farmers. We need to prioritise what works. For the past four years as Minister, I've been focussed on ensuring that the Department and agencies are equipped to work in partnership with farmers to ensure that they have the information and supports they need to take the right measures. This year, I secured funding for 60 additional water quality staff at local level and launched a major new €60m Water EIP with my Government colleagues. In September, I launched Ireland's new ‘Water Action Plan - a River Basin Management Plan for Ireland’ in Thomastown. This major new policy will stitch together our efforts across agriculture, wastewater and biodiversity to help us achieve water quality targets. If re-elected, I will work to ensure that farmers and communities are at the centre of our solutions to water quality.
Where I stand on Nature Restoration
I support nature restoration as part of a sustainable farm operation. I've seen farmers making space for nature in a variety of farming systems, whether by taking part in dedicated LIFE projects and EIPs, through ACRES Cooperation and NPWS Farm Plan Schemes, or just simply off their own backs because they care about it and have an interest. Tens of thousands of farmers are already taking part in these schemes, and their efforts are showing us the way forward. It's not always easy, and there are problems to be ironed out, but I'm confident that we can do this. Along with my Government colleagues, I committed that participation in new schemes under the Nature Restoration Law will be entirely voluntary for farmers and well-resourced to offer a strong incentive. It's not all about rewetting either - all farmers will be invited to play their part to help reach our goals for farmland birds, butterflies and other wildlife. If re-elected, I will work to ensure that nature restoration is rolled out in a way that supports and benefits farmers.
Where I stand on Rural Living
Rural Ireland has changed dramatically in the past few decades. Today, it’s a diverse and vibrant place, home to people from all walks of life, including families who have lived in a townland for generations, people who have moved out from the towns and cities, and new Irish making a home for themselves in our beautiful landscapes. Remote working has transformed people’s options, but commuting into towns and cities for work remains a mainstay. Agriculture is of course at the heart of the rural economy, but it’s also true that many people living in rural Ireland are involved in other sectors, from trades to tech to education to healthcare to the arts, and so much more. I want to support people living in rural areas to access essential services more easily. The roll out of fibre broadband – an initiative led by the Green Party in Government – is complete in County Kilkenny and well underway across County Carlow, and is certain to make a huge impact on people’s day-to-day lives. If re-elected, I will work to ensure that well water testing is made free, that the grants for wells and septic tanks are increased to 100% and that the whole process is made easier and more accessible for people. I also want to support greater uptake of retrofits and solar panels, and am keen to hear from people’s experiences in accessing these grants so that we can improve them.
Where I stand on Small Towns and Villages
Our small towns and villages have enormous potential but too many have been allowed to stagnate, with dereliction and long-term vacancy a sadly common feature. As Minister, I’ve provided significant grants to support the owners of heritage buildings, archaeological monuments and traditional farm buildings to conserve and improve them. This includes traditional shopfronts, which I’m a particular fan of. Carlow and Kilkenny is blessed with some wonderful towns and villages, and among them, some innovative and creative communities who are progressing inspiring development initiatives. I support the renewal of our small towns and villages and the communities that are leading that change, so that they can fulfil their potential as hubs for essential services, sport, faith and local events across the hinterland of the wider rural economy. Integrated rural transport and housing are central to this vision. We need to unlock the potential of the thousands of older buildings in our towns and villages that are in need of restoration, and enable families to live in them. They need to be seen as part of the housing solution. Water and wastewater infrastructure is critical to the growth of our towns and villages. These smaller schemes need to be prioritised by Uisce Eireann. Rural Post Offices, cafes, restaurants and pubs should also be seen as critical infrastructure. If re-elected, I will work to ensure we integrate our rural and urban public transport systems effectively with more bus stops and real time information, prioritise small drinking water and wastewater schemes, improve supports for Group Water Schemes, increase the scope and targeting of grants for the renewal and regeneration of existing buildings, and repurpose derelict buildings (public and private) for community use.
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