The new Cabinet must work with farmers to secure the sector's future.

That is according to Tim Cullinan, President of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), which hopes Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will be able to strike the right balance between environmental, economic and social sustainability.

His comments come after yesterday's Cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of Micheál Martin and appointment of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach.

The new Taoiseach has said he wants to see Ireland become energy independent "by harnessing our untapped renewable energy resources".

Mr Cullinan has called on the Taoiseach to protect the farming sector while trying to meet ambitious targets.

Food security

IFA President Tim Cullinan believes that food security is going to become very important.

"There is a huge concern right around the world currently around food security", Mr Cullinan said.

"It's critically important now that we protect our sector so that we are well-placed to be part of producing top-quality food."

He added: "The new Taoiseach needs to be front and centre in particular around food production and obviously working with ourselves around climate change and emissions reduction."

Cooperation

The IFA has said that the new Taoiseach must consult farmers when introducing new environmental policies.

"The new Taoiseach, he needs to front up for farming and food production", he said.

"The debate has been going on for quite a while now and, you know, it's very important that we have the right balance between environmental, economic and social sustainability."

Among a number of ambitions, Varadkar said energy independence is hugely important.

"This will be our moon shot for the 21st century - something to strive for, not because it is easy but because it is hard", he told the Dáil yesterday.

"Recalling Ardnacrusha and the spirit of the Free State, this is our Shannon scheme 2.0."

Controversial emissions targets

This year farmers were asked to eliminate one-quarter of its emissions to help the country achieve its emissions targets.

At the time, Mr Cullinan said that such a reduction would be "costly and challenging to do".

During tense negotiations, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan fought for even more ambitious targets but ultimately he and Agricultural Minister Charlie McConologue came to a compromise.

The agriculture sector will have to make the reduction over the next eight years.