As I finish my first year as national president of Macra, I’ve been reflecting on the rollercoaster year of 2025. The year has been significant for young farmers and rural young people. While we all expected the derogation, Mercosur and CAP to be headline issues, I don’t think anyone could have foreseen a fuel crisis and Bord Bia protests.

And yet, the one key issue facing young farmers, Generational Renewal, has remained stagnant. We called for the publication of the Commission on Generational Renewal’s report, we welcomed its eventual delivery – but since then, nothing!

Young Farmers continue to struggle with critical issues affecting their ability to start their farming careers, but our Government have continued to fail them. Similarly, we have continuously called for the delivery of the Rural Planning Framework – to no avail.

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Housing continues to be a huge issue for our rural young people. As an organisation, we’ve continued to ensure that the voices of our members are represented at both national and European levels – unfortunately, many of our calls have fallen on deaf ears.

Members have been critical of the approach taken during the various protests (and there were many).

Let me assure you, every decision made during each protest and in everything I have done this year has always been in the best interest of the organisation and each and every member I represent.

Our participation in protests would have jeopardised our attendance at the discussions – meaning that the voice of young farmers would not have been shared.

Let me also be very clear, while we do experience significant challenges which need to be addressed and resolved by our Government, protest should never be the first action – it should be the last, when every other avenue has been exhausted.

I have and will continue to engage in constructive dialogue in a democratic and respectful manner to ensure that we as an organisation are considered, listened to and meaningfully supported.

My presidency started on a challenging note, having encountered hurtful, untrue rumours and the challenging nature of the role continued. While some of this is to be expected, disrespect encountered and malicious comments received should not be tolerated.

Despite this, I will continue to represent Macra and its members to the best of my ability. I may not have achieved everything I wanted in my first year – unfortunately, other issues became more pressing.

But plans are well under way for my second year to ensure that I work towards achieving the promises that I made last year.

All I ask is for respect – respect me and respect each other. Kindness costs nothing. Mar a deirtear, ar scath a chéile a mhaireann na daoine – we all rely on each other.

So going forward, let’s respect each other, be kind and support each other as we all aim to drive Macra forward.

Thank you to each and every person who has supported me so far, I look forward to working with you and for you for the next year.