The following motion was moved by Deputy Martin Kenny on 19 February 2026: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."
Debate resumed on amendment No. 1:
To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following:
"Dáil Éireann declines to give the Commission on the Future of the Family Farm Bill 2024 a second reading, on the basis that:
— its objectives are already being comprehensively addressed through existing policy frameworks, in particular Food Vision 2030, the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027, and the ongoing work arising from the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming;
— the family farm model is central to Ireland's agri-food sector and rural economy, and supporting its viability, sustainability and continuity has been a consistent priority of Government policy, reflected most clearly in Food Vision 2030, Ireland's stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector;
— issues such as generational renewal, succession planning, gender balance, farm incomes, diversification, farmers' position in the value chain and climate action are key issues for the sector and are already central pillars of Food Vision 2030, and these issues are being actively progressed through the existing structures and funded policy instruments;
— Food Vision 2030 provides a long term, integrated and non-statutory framework, addressing the economic, environmental and social sustainability of farming, including the future of family farms, and the distinct advantage of Food Vision 2030 is that it was developed by the sector, for the sector, through extensive stakeholder engagement and continues to be implemented collaboratively, and it is underpinned by a robust governance, monitoring and reporting structure through a High Level Implementation Committee chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine;
— a mid-term review of Food Vision 2030 is currently underway, to ensure continued relevance and responsiveness, and this review, which will include full public and stakeholder consultation, will ensure that it remains ambitious, focused, and responsive to evolving challenges and opportunities; and
— the agri-food sector has experienced significant policy change in recent years, and Food Vision 2030 provides a stable, agreed framework, with the non-statutory nature of Food Vision 2030 allowing Government to adapt policy responses more efficiently, including through the current mid-term review.".
- (Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Noel Grealish)
I must now deal with a postponed division relating to Second Stage of the Commission on the Future of the Family Farm Bill 2024 which took place on Thursday, 19 February 2026. On the question, "That the amendment to the motion be made", a division was claimed, and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken now.
Amendment put:
The Dáil divided: Tá, 74; Níl, 64; Staon, 0.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Mary Butler and Emer Currie; Níl, Deputies Matt Carthy and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn.
Amendment declared carried.
Question put: "That the motion, as amended, be agreed to."
The Dáil divided: Tá, 75; Níl, 65; Staon, 0.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Mary Butler and Emer Currie; Níl, Deputies Matt Carthy and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn.
Question declared carried.