Does it matter much that there were 6,000 fewer BISS applicants in 2026 than in 2022? The rational answer is that it might.

The figures were revealed in a ministerial response to a question from Michael Fitzmaurice.

We are losing 1,000 farmers a year. Martin Heydon did infer that farm partnerships were a factor in the declining number of applicants, but aren’t the majority of partnerships between an established BISS applicant and a newcomer? Such arrangements would neither add to nor reduce the overall number of applications.

The decline, for a decline it is, is less than 1% per year, but over time that is a pretty significant number.

Of course, farmer numbers have been constantly in decline since mechanisation in the 19th century reduced the number of hands required to work an acre.

But the decline has not been predictable, or at a consistent pace. Agricultural economist Seamus Sheehy predicted we would be down to 30,000 farmers long since, we still have close to four times that.

The aging profile of farmers and the lack of identified successors makes this near-probable

The question is whether we are on the brink of experiencing one of those shelves, where numbers will fall rapidly over a relatively short period of time.

The aging profile of farmers and the lack of identified successors makes this near-probable.

The fact that average farm incomes have fallen further and further behind the average industrial wage adds to the likelihood.

It’s against this backdrop that farm representatives are arguing in favour of a reversal in the CAP cut, to prevent a collapse in farming numbers.

But the counter argument, that lower numbers of farmers actually justifies a cut in farmer payments, will also be advanced.

Healy-Rae ‘overboard’

Elsewhere this week, Michael Healy-Rae’s interview on Radio Kerry confirmed the view expressed in this parish at the time of his departure – that he resigned his ministry very reluctantly.

His decision to leave cabinet was in the main due to the distance between his brother Danny and Government. He was “pulled overboard” he said, by Danny calling for Micheál Martin and Simon Harris to be replaced as leaders of their respective parties.

Many are focusing on what damage the public acknowledgement of this rift will do to the Healy-Rae brand.

It sounds like he harbours some regret at not sitting tight

For those who listen to what Michael was saying, it should enhance his own reputation. He made clear his desire to honour the commitment he made on joining with Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and other independent TDs to form this Government.

It sounds like he harbours some regret at not sitting tight, breaking with his brother, and staying in a government he says were doing “a good job”. Micheál Martin may regret not working to create the space to allow him to do so.