11. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application (details supplied) to the European Innovation Partnership under call 6; when funding announcements will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13801/25]

Sentiment score: 0.13

I do not know which Minister is answering this question but it relates to the Irish wool industry and a farmer-led initiative that will be a crucial lifeline for rural areas. It specifically relates to the status of an application under call 6 of the European Innovation Partnership. I have provided the details. When will funding announcements be made? Can the Minister give any further details?

Sentiment score: 0.08

I thank the Minister. I have been following up on this for a number of years now. We got a report from the Agile Executive on the possibilities for wool. Like seaweed, this is an area we have utterly neglected despite the substantial potential for growth for indigenous industries. The report tells us that: Wool has a unique composition that makes it applicable to many markets including Horticulture, Packaging, Insulation, Textiles, Cosmetics, Filled Products and Composites [and many more]. This is an initiative from farmers that would benefit the local community. What has happened with regard to that specific application? Is it one of the 27 the Minister said had been selected? If not, where should the proposers go? This is a fantastic initiative that builds up possibilities for wool. It needs help at some stage. Where are we with the application? Has it been selected?

Sentiment score: 0.14

I understand the restriction on the Minister with regard to the evaluation process. I understand that but will he clarify the dates for me because I missed them when he was delivering his response? On wool in general, I am very concerned at how slowly progress is being made. It took us years to get the report that was commissioned. Some €100,000 was set aside. The report cost €70,000 while €30,000 went into the establishment of the Irish Grown Wool Council. I wish the council the best of luck but the Department has completely pulled back from it. I am a little concerned that I cannot see minutes anywhere. There are no minutes up on the website. I have asked about that repeatedly. I would be the first to support an open and accountable wool council that drives the wool industry so that wool is no longer a waste product. That is what wool is classified as. There might be scientific reasons for that but imagine that we are classifying wool as a waste product when there are so many possibilities for it. The Department and the Government should take a hands-on approach in light of the possibilities, particular given the urgent need to diversify our economy.

Sentiment score: -0.04

I missed the dates.

Sentiment score: -0.30

14. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason mineral soils were included under GAEC 2, despite its intent to apply only to carbon rich soils, that is, peatlands and wetlands; if he intends to amend Ireland’s proposal to align with EU requirements and prevent detrimental impacts on small farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13802/25]

Sentiment score: 0.20

This is a very specific question. I know the Minister is very familiar with this because there was a protest outside the Dáil on the issue. I am not sure whether things have moved forwards or backwards. What is the reason that mineral soils were included under GAEC 2 and why was the percentage chosen despite the regulation being intended only to apply to carbon-rich soils? I fully support the provision regarding carbon-rich soils, that is, peatlands and wetlands.

Sentiment score: -0.01

I understand the baseline conditionality. I am no expert on this, but I listened to carefully to what those who are experts are saying. It seems on the face of it that small farmers are disproportionately affected by the percentage employed. I can only tell the Minister what I have been informed of, which is that the Department has decided that if 51% of the parcel comprises peatlands and wetlands, the entire land falls under GAEC 2. This means that 100,000 acres of mineral sites are captured that were not meant to be captured. On the other hand, by using this percentage, if 49% is peatlands, it is excluded. That takes 200,000 acres of carbon out of it. I prefaced my remarks by saying that I am no expert, but questions have to be asked and answered in a way that reassures small farmers who clearly think they will be disproportionately affected compared with the larger intensive farms.

Sentiment score: 0.09

I have no intention of scaremongering.

Sentiment score: -0.30

I do not think the Minister was. I do not think the farmers who were up here protesting were scaremongering either. They were clearly setting out their concerns. I have set them out as best I can in the context of the two percentages being used. The percentage for mineral soils and the percentage for wetlands and peatlands could be clarified in simple terms. I accept the Minister's bona fides in the context of what he said, but farmers tell us in serious representations that they are worried they will particularly affected on the west coast - Galway, Mayo, Donegal and so on. I can only listen to them and do my best to understand. It seems that there is huge scope and flexibility for the Department to comply with the regulation to protect wetlands and peatlands while not including the mineral soils that have been included. The Minister met those involved. Is another meeting scheduled that will clarify this to avoid continuous misunderstandings?

Sentiment score: 0.11