SINN Féin Senator Joanne Collins has vowed to work to ensure that young farmers have access to land and support schemes that enable them to build a future in agriculture, rather than being priced out of their own heritage.
On the first sitting of the 27th Seanad Éireann, Senator Collins, making her maiden speech, said she was honoured to have been elected to the Agriculture Panel, a sector she considers “the backbone of our country, sustaining our rural communities, driving local economies, and shaping our national identity”.
The Cappagh and Askeaton politician went on to point to the historic nature of her election, saying that “I am the first Oireachtas Sinn Féin member for County Limerick in the modern era. This is both a privilege and a challenge — one that I embrace wholeheartedly.”
Highlighting her priorities for the term, Senator Collins said that “Limerick is a county with a rich agricultural tradition. From dairy farming in the Golden Vale to beef, sheep, and tillage enterprises across our rolling fields, the people of Limerick know the value of hard work, of resilience, and of community.”
“But they also know the struggles: rising input costs, the uncertainty of markets, and the persistent failure of successive governments to deliver for rural Ireland. I intend to be a strong voice for these farmers, fishers, and rural communities who feel left behind.”
She said that she will “fight for fair prices for our farmers, for a CAP that genuinely supports family farms, and for an agri-food sector that prioritises sustainability without sacrificing livelihoods”.
“I will work to ensure that young farmers have access to land and support schemes that enable them to build a future in agriculture, rather than being priced out of their own heritage.”
Aware of giving a voice to all of County Limerick, Collins also spoke of the importance of gender representation.
“Women have always played a central role in Irish agriculture, whether on family farms, in agribusiness, or as leaders in rural communities. Yet our voices have too often been absent from decision-making tables. As the only female Oireachtas member for County Limerick, I take this role seriously — not just as a representative, but as an advocate for the many women who contribute so much but are too often overlooked,” she said.
“This Seanad must be a place where real change happens, where rural Ireland is not treated as an afterthought, and where policies reflect the lived realities of the people we serve. I will work with colleagues across the political spectrum to ensure that fairness, equality, and opportunity are at the heart of everything we do.
“To my constituents, my community, to my colleagues here and my party — thank you for your trust. I will not let you down.”
