Taoiseach Leo Varadkar alongside Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State Martin Heydon and Minister of State Pippa Hackett held a meeting with members of Macra na Feirme this afternoon.
The meeting occurred after members of the rural youth and young farmers group completed a 79km march from Athy, Co Kildare to Government Buildings.
The group undertook the march to highlight the issues affecting the future of the areas they live and work in.
The marchers set off last night from Athy, where the organisation was founded almost 80 years ago.
Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, President Elect of Macra na Feirme Elaine Houlihan said the meeting with Government ministers was "very productive".
She said that the group received a "commitment from the Taoiseach with regards to the definition of the family farm" along with a "commitment on the farm succession scheme".
Ms Houlihan added that rural Ireland needed to "keep the youth to keep communities going as this mass emigration is certainly not helping rural communities especially with regard to access to affordable housing and the planning guidelines".
Ms Houlihan stated that in past generations, farmers would have been farming full time but that currently it is not viable in the beef sector.
After arriving at Government Buildings this afternoon, the marchers delivered letters outlining concerns for their futures in rural Ireland.
These include restrictions on young farmers developing their businesses, restrictive planning rules and a lack of housing, public transport and health provision.
A statement from Government described the meeting as "positive and constructive", adding that the Taoiseach listened to their proposals.
During the meeting, the Taoiseach, ministers and the group discussed farm succession.
In the statement, the Taoiseach expressed his gratitude for the work of Macra na Feirme.
The statement said the Government is "absolutely committed to rural Ireland and has ensured unprecedented investment in rural Ireland in recent times".
"The €1 billion Rural Regeneration Fund is making a real difference to rural communities and the national broadband plan is a €3 billion investment in rural Ireland, the biggest in the history of the State," it added.
The Taoiseach also committed to engaging with the delegation again by the end of the summer.
Minister McConalogue said the Government was committed to supporting young farmers and had protected a range of taxation measures to support them.
Macra na Feirme members walked 38km over eight hours.
And still they march on..15 hardy Macra members have 40km walked…about the same to get to Gov buildings Had a 90 min break on side of the road in Naas. Onwards now thru Kill, Newcastle, Bluebell and finish in Merrion Street #StepsForOurFuture #macranafeirme pic.twitter.com/sJQfpDSPvC
— Joe Mag Raollaigh (@joemagraollaigh) April 26, 2023
With a theme of 'Steps for our Future', they aimed to highlight challenges for young farmers and rural dwellers.
Macra na Feirme marchers arrive at HQ in the Irish Farm Centre. Another 10km left in their #StepsForOurFuture trek to Gov Buildings. More on @rtenews. @MacranaFeirme pic.twitter.com/GdFPq2InUN
— Joe Mag Raollaigh (@joemagraollaigh) April 26, 2023
