Pat
E: potoole@farmersjournal.ie
T: 01 419 9500
Pat O'Toole is a news reporter and political correspondent with the Irish Farmers Journal since 2007. In this capacity, all types of stories and issues across sectors are covered. He also works a tillage farm in Ferns Co Wexford.
Pat O'Toole on 06 Nov 2024
Election boost for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil
It may be the same again for the next Irish government, with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil showing up well in our latest farmer survey. But who will be the mixer in the cocktail?
Pat O'Toole on 08 Nov 2024
General election: main coalition partners dominate farmer support
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil continue to gain the lion's share of support from the over 1,000 farmers surveyed in advance of the 2024 election.
Pat O'Toole on 08 Nov 2024
General election: coalition between three parties likely
Our poll suggests Independent Ireland could be a live contender to be coalition partners for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Pat O'Toole on 05 Nov 2024
Farmers join forces for Mercosur protest
The ICSA were joined by IFA president France Gorman, the INHFA and The Irish Rural Organsiation for Tuesday's protest.
Pat O'Toole on 31 Oct 2024
Department to review scoring of ACRES farms
The minister announced that more than one dairy robot will be TAMS eligible, with good news on access to ACRES for new entrants too.
Pat O'Toole on 30 Oct 2024
Taoiseach ‘sick’ of farmers being demonised
Simon Harris says it is not a choice between climate and farming, prior to addressing young farmers at the Macra national conference.
Pat O'Toole on 27 Oct 2024
Opinion: message from farmers is best delivered on farm
While there was good engagement between young farmers and Government at the Macra conference in Naas, the real beef was delivered on the associated farm walks.
Pat O'Toole on 23 Oct 2024
The five big issues in the 2024 General Election
With a general election campaign now looming, what are the issues that will dominate the debate around farming and food production? We take a look at the likely farming flashpoints on doorsteps.
Pat O'Toole on 23 Oct 2024
Bank willing to meet farmers face-to-face
Farmers were critical of the online lending application system, but Susan Maher of Bank of Ireland said meetings are available, but by appointment only
Pat O'Toole on 16 Oct 2024
Analysis: has this Government delivered for farming?
The Programme for Government contained a lot of commitments to farming and the agri-food sector. But has it been delivered?
Pat O'Toole on 14 Oct 2024
Opinion: CSO figures a stark indicator of farming's demographic-driven decline
There has been a reduction in suckler cow numbers again this year, which is concerning in itself. Viewed in the wider context of CSO figures, it becomes close to terrifying for farming's future.
Pat O'Toole on 01 Oct 2024
Active farmer angst tarnishes welcome CAT increase
An increase in the CAT to €4m has been favourably received, but new "active farmer" rules for those passing on land a cause of concern.