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A GENERAL ELECTION still appears to be months away but the wheels are already starting to turn on some campaigns.
It now looks likely that a farmers’ party will form part of the field of candidates.
A recent poll by the Irish Farmers Journal found that three in four farmers would vote for a new farmers’ political party if one emerged, and the Farmers’ Alliance organisation also announced plans to run candidates in the next general election.
It comes amid increasing pressure on rural Ireland due to climate change – due to either the need to adapt to a future that focuses on reducing carbon emissions or the real-life impacts that a warming climate will have on their livelihoods – but a sense of a lack of their voice being heard at the top table.
This week on The Explainer, we’re joined by journalist Hannah Quinn Mulligan, who is also an organic beef and dairy farmer as well as the founder of the Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group, to delve into this further.
What are the types of issues that farmers want to see form a bigger part of government policy? Who are the European parties making similar moves into this space? And what difference could it make for rural Ireland?
https://soundcloud.com/the-explainer-podcast/why-is-there-so-much-talk-about-a-farmers-party-in-ireland/s-NMDp29D8SLE?si=f9b12c4a461d4879bbd27c16cb32120c&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
This episode was put together by presenter Laura Byrne, senior producer Nicky Ryan, production assistant Muiris O’Cearbhaill and executive producer Sinéad O’Carroll.
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i am delighted that Alice Charles comment on fracking is included.
I don’t know lots about fracking but didn’t they categorically state they wouldn’t be using chemicals?
I totally agree about the renewable energy angle though.
Paul even if they don’t use chemicals in the extraction process, they will still RELEASE a lot more than the natural gas down there; there are many other substances down there that will be ALSO be released; methane, Radium 226 amongst others; so I’m not sure that that is such a big help at this time.
Fracking is a no go for Ireland. Too small a country. Don’t frack with Mother Nature or she’ll frack you back. And she takes no prisoners.
Re: Andy Crowe’s comment. Those of you who must travel far and wide for work should perhaps look in to setting yourself up as a Sole Trader or small business. Then all travel expenses can be deductible. You could get information from your local county enterprise board if you think its applicable to you.
re the penalty points comment from the truck driver…his vehicle is supposed to be limited to 90kmh so I wonder how he got points for being in.excess of 100kmh limit on.dual carraigeway. as for using mobile phone…hands free kits and earpieces are available at low prices starting below the cost of the fine so his complaints to my reading are not credible.
I was traveling on motorway to Dublin last week and was behind a truck doing 120km per hour, and he was on the phone
I watched Gasland and i for one would love to be able to show off to friends by being able to ignite my drinking water as it flows from the kitchen tap!!!
(joke)
PLEASE WATCH GASLAND!!!!
Regarding the fracking debate I don’t know enough about the process chemical or non chemical but one think I ask that what ever decision we make it’s done quickly not years in planning and committees ect.
Theres a brilliant documentary called gaslands(us based),informative,well worth a watch.
People of Leitrim if y
have your say