Suggesting the fines won't be imposed is straight out of big business lobbying textbook.Are they writing the minister's script.And when we tax payers are stuck with the fine, it will be too late to pass it on to the businesses who said "Ah sure don't mind that climate baloney" 3/3

If we never have to pay the fines then nobody else does either and then no one will ever have a reason to take action. Countries, like France, meeting their targets get no reward. Does the minister want a future where there is zero reward for good climate action. 2/3

If you are like me and prefer you get your books on audio, it is available on Spotify at open.spotify.com/show/4LnZsnW...

Having grown up on a farm, Gibbons understands farming, but he pulls no punches when placing blame“Ireland’s shift towards the most polluting food sectors–driven by a number of agribusiness giants and facilitated by the state–benefits few while imposing huge costs on many.” 5/6

The descriptions of the influence of the agri lobby groups is fascinating. It will leave the reader much less trusting of anything they hear from media or politicians. Even our educational system is subject to huge lobbying on curriculum and what kids are told about food. 4/6

A rethink of food production is required if we want cleaner water and food security and he lays out the case very clearly. The climate impact of bad land use:“The agrifood sector accounts for 38% of Ireland’s greenhouse emissions — and just 7% of gross national income.” 3/6

John Gibbon's book gives an inciteful history of how farming changed over the past few decades to serve an industry and an export market that do not necessarily benefit the majority of farmers or the country as a whole, either environmentally or economically. 2/6