“Brutal” weather conditions over the past few weeks are impacting farmers both “physically and mentally,” the Taoiseach has said.

Simon Harris also said there needs to be less "finger-wagging" towards farmers when it comes to climate change.

He has been addressing the EPP Group Conference in Carlow, which is discussing the future of the agricultural sector across the EU.

It follows record high levels of rainfall in March and an equally wet start to April that has resulted in very few windows of opportunity for farmers to plant crops.

A huge puddle of rainfall on a farm. Image: Panther Media GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo

The Taoiseach said it's clear the Government needs to take meaningful action to help farmers across rural Ireland.

“The impact is on the farmer physically and mentally,” he said.

“From meeting and talking with farmers in recent weeks and today, it’s very clear we need to act.

“When any one sector, especially one that is so fundamentally important to the Irish economy, comes up against tough times – it’s our job as a government to not just give words of comfort, but to respond and help.”

Rainfall in March was up 145% on its long-term average according to Met Éireann.

Main image: Fine Gael leader Simon Harris speaking at Government Buildings, 27-3-24. Image: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie