Martin Daly Questions Government on Industrial Hemp Policy
Martin Daly asked the Tánaiste whether the government has, or is developing, a policy for the development of industrial hemp production in Ireland. He set out the plant's environmental, economic and construction benefits and urged departmental coordination because licensing currently sits with the Department of Health.
Martin Daly asked the Tánaiste directly if there is a government policy to support industrial hemp production and whether the Departments of Health, Agriculture and Enterprise will be encouraged to progress it. He raised the matter in light of recent meetings with farmers, processors and construction academics.
Daly outlined the plant's potential: over 70 recognised uses including hemp concrete, insulation, textiles and building blocks. He emphasised rapid growth, immediate carbon sequestration, sustainability and a cited estimate of approximately €250 profit per acre for farmers, while noting hemp is suited to Ireland's damp climate.
Daly highlighted that industrial hemp is currently licensed by the Department of Health rather than the Department of Agriculture and said prejudice linked to cannabis associations is holding the sector back. He gave a local example where a €20 million investment in a hemp production factory failed to secure Just Transition Funding.
The Tánaiste said he was not aware of an existing policy and undertook to ask relevant ministers to review the matter, noting the clear distinction between industrial hemp and broader cannabis debates. He suggested Minister Burke might respond in the first instance on next steps.
Proposal and question
Martin Daly asked the Tánaiste directly if there is a government policy to support industrial hemp production and whether the Departments of Health, Agriculture and Enterprise will be encouraged to progress it. He raised the matter in light of recent meetings with farmers, processors and construction academics.
Benefits and uses
Daly outlined the plant's potential: over 70 recognised uses including hemp concrete, insulation, textiles and building blocks. He emphasised rapid growth, immediate carbon sequestration, sustainability and a cited estimate of approximately €250 profit per acre for farmers, while noting hemp is suited to Ireland's damp climate.
Licensing and funding challenges
Daly highlighted that industrial hemp is currently licensed by the Department of Health rather than the Department of Agriculture and said prejudice linked to cannabis associations is holding the sector back. He gave a local example where a €20 million investment in a hemp production factory failed to secure Just Transition Funding.
Government response and next steps
The Tánaiste said he was not aware of an existing policy and undertook to ask relevant ministers to review the matter, noting the clear distinction between industrial hemp and broader cannabis debates. He suggested Minister Burke might respond in the first instance on next steps.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Other speeches
Tego samego dnia All speeches from this day →
Victor Boyhan
Victor Boyhan: Protect Dublin Council Powers in Taskforce Rollout
Richard O'Donoghue
Richard O'Donoghue: Investigate Wind Farm Health Concerns
Robert O'Donoghue
Robert O'Donoghue: Protect CAP and Secure Food Supply
Carol Nolan
Carol Nolan warns of two-tier planning and registration crisis
Charles Ward
Charles Ward Demands Timeline for I.S.465 Remediation Review
Joe O'Reilly
Joe O'Reilly: Defending Rural Energy Relief
Transcript
Thank you. Tánaiste, I want to ask if the government has or is developing a policy for the development of industrial hemp production in Ireland. Industrial hemp is a remarkable plant, it's recognised cap crop grown largely in France, Belgium, Germany and governed by an EU regulatory framework keeping the active THC content lower than 0.3% which is important because it is part of the cannabis family and I think it's prejudiced because of that. We had farmers, processors, building industry representatives, construction academics at the Agricultural Committee last night. This remarkable crop has over 70 recognised uses including hemp concrete, insulation, textiles and building blocks. It's grown quickly, immediate carbon sequestration, sustainable, profitable for farmers, an estimated profit of €250 an acre profit and a most suitable building material for Ireland with our damp climate. But it requires a coordinated approach by government to support it as an industry. Can I ask the Tánaiste that if the government has a policy industrial hemp production and would it encourage the Department of Health, Agriculture and Enterprise to progress this because at the moment it's licensed by the Department of Health and not by the Department of Agriculture and we have a situation in my constituency where a €20 million investment in a hemp production factory was turned down because it couldn't get the funding from the Just Transition Funding. Part of that is there's a prejudice against this plant because of its association with cannabis. Thanks very much. I don't honestly know the answer to the question as to whether we have one. I haven't seen it if we do so I presume we haven't. But I certainly on foot of you raising this will ask the relevant ministers to take a look at it because conscious that you're a deputy and a doctor and there's a very clear differentiation between what you're trying to achieve here from an economic point of view and the broader discussion in relation to cannabis and the like. So I think that idea of the industrial use of hemp and the goods that could come of it is certainly something that should be explored. So I'll ask him, I'll ask perhaps Minister Burke in the first instance to come back to him on that.