Politician's views: Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on the Greens and farm policy

“We’re in negotiations with a variety of parties at the moment. The onus is on us to get a stable government – we’re talking to everyone. It depends on what the Programme for Government is.

“Farmers are concerned but sustainable agriculture has to be the way forward but it has to be economical. To be putting spancels on us as long as we’re doing it sustainably [is wrong].

“A forced reduction in the national herd is far too simplistic. Everything we’re doing is geared towards Origin Green. If we hadn’t live exports, what way would our beef sector be?

“I’m in a nitrates derogation. For commercial dairying to be possible, the derogation is extremely important.”

“As a party we have vested authority in Micheál Martin and our negotiating team. The country needs a Government – we’re beyond personal and political preferences at this point.

“It would be wrong to suggest that a total ban on live exports would be viable for Ireland, it just isn’t.

There are many ways to skin a cat, let’s focus on the most practical way of doing it

“Everybody accepts that the planet is on fire. We need to get a Programme for Government to reduce emissions, it’s going to have to be about the overall picture as opposed to honing in on sectors. There are many ways to skin a cat, let’s focus on the most practical way of doing it. We can’t hone in on certain sectors and pick the low-hanging fruit.”

“How many options are there out there? We have to be realistic, it’s difficult to form a government in the current circumstances. The country needs a government.

“There has been no conversation about cutting the herd. We all need to sit down around the table. There can be no red lines. If you put in red lines, you put in obstacles to discussions. There are too many issues in farming to put down red lines.”

Rabbitte would not be drawn on whether she would support a ban on live exports, the scrapping of the nitrates derogation or a reduction in the national herd.

“Too much public talk of red lines is not helpful in negotiations, and as Fine Gael parliamentary chair I have a responsibility in that regard. We need a government, and it has to be a stable government. The commitments made by the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action mapped considerable cuts in emissions without undermining agriculture.

We must trust to science

“The growing recognition of the difference in biocycle emissions from livestock has to be taken on board. We must trust to science, which is in favour of Irish farming. The Teagasc roadmap provides a blueprint.

“I fully understand the need for live exports and importance of the nitrates derogation for thousands of farmers.”

“Coming from a dairy farm, it’s a top priority of mine to ensure that agriculture does not bear the brunt of climate action measures. We need to also focus on emissions from public transport and traffic in general.

It seems the rural independents and the Greens are miles apart

“There is a huge focus on the Green Party, but the Social Democrats and Labour are also potential government partners. From my own personal perspective, it seems the rural independents and the Greens are miles apart.

“It is not practical to stop live exports. There has to be a lot more discussion around the nitrates derogation.”

“I support Fine Gael’s approach to make every effort to work with other parties? including the Greens? to discuss the possibility of entering formal talks on a programme for government. Mayo farmers are uneasy that reducing the suckler herd would have huge consequences for the economic and social sustainability of rural Ireland. Some rural dwellers in Mayo believe it would be a regressive step and fear that Green policies in their election manifesto would impact negatively on the region.” On a cut to the herd, the banning of live exports and an end to the derogation, Dillon said he would like to see “a comprehensive assessment” to determine the impacts on jobs and on the environment.