Restructured semi-states to invest in ‘next generation’ infrastructures
Under the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) plan, streamlined and restructured semi-States will make significant investments, over and above current plans, over the next four years in “next generation” infrastructures in energy, broadband, forestry and water.
NewERA will merge Bord na Mona and Coillte into BioEnergy Ireland, which will aim to be a global leader in commercialisation of next generation bio-energy, including a 14,700 hectares per year afforestation programme.
Micro-generators producing electricity for their homes, farms and businesses, and selling surplus to the grid will be paid a tariff “not significantly above single energy market price”.
In order to grow the agri-food sector, a fair EU funding envelope for agriculture, and a fair share for Ireland, will be sought. Negotiators will prioritise a Single Farm Payment for active Irish grass-based farmers.
As part of its support for the Food Harvest 2020 recommendations, the Government will facilitate co-operation for market-based dairy and meat pricing. New food businesses, and a single brand for the Irish agri-food sector globally, will be developed.
Greater land mobility and involvement of young farmers will be pursued.
“We will exempt farm diesel from further increases in the carbon tax,” states the Programme for Government, which also has a commitment to explore expansion of the Agri-Environment Options Scheme.
A Fair Trade Act banning unfair retail practices such as ‘hello money’ to secure space on supermarket shelves will be enacted.
The Programme for Government allows an exemption for domestic turf-cutting on 75 National Heritage Area, sites subject to an agreed code of environmental practices. Domestic turf cutters threatened by environmental bans on 55 other bogs can look forward to independent mediation.
The new government will support development of sustainable aquaculture and fish farms by streamlining the licensing process and reducing associated bureaucracy.
Commitments are also made to maintain the network of post offices and extend the Rural Transport Programme.
Farmers have welcomed the programme. However, IFA President John Bryan said farmers were concerned at the proposal to move responsibility for agri-payments to a new one-stop-shop (in conjunction with developing a new agrifood innovation unit in the Department of Agriculture). “The existing service is efficient and compares favourably with systems in other EU countries,” said Mr Bryan.
ICSA president Gabriel Gilmartin said he was disappointed there was no reference to restoring installation aid for young farmers.
