Tánaiste Simon Harris has hinted that fresh succession measures could be delivered in Budget 2026.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal at the Tullamore Show, Harris said: “I do think the issue of succession is extraordinarily important. I had a chance to have a brief conversation here with Macra. This is a real issue and again I think time is of the essence here.

“If we don’t take steps soon to really look at how we can renew, how we can pass to the next generation, how we can make it easier for people to succeed on the family farm, I think we’re going to be in real difficulty,” he said.

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“There’s been good work done in relation to the Commission on Generational Renewal and I’d hope and expect that Budget 2026 can show movement in relation to that.”

When asked if key farm tax reliefs, which were worth over €20m to farm families last year, would be rolled over into 2026, he commented that reliefs in their current form are working.

“If something’s not broken I wouldn’t try to fix it,” Harris said.

The Tánaiste refused to say whether any promises made in the Programme for Government would be delivered come the autumn budget.

“I always describe the Programme for Government as the contract between the two Government parties and independents and the contract between the Government and the people.

“I expect the next budget to show progress and a roadmap in terms of how we intend to deliver all of the commitments on agriculture over the course of five budgets, bearing in mind that this budget will be one of five that will be delivered during the lifetime of this Government,” he said.