Irish Independent deputy Carol Nolan has expressed that the development of new international market opportunities for sheep farmers will be ineffective without immediate action to bolster the national sector. She emphasized that survival margins are thin, and farmers are under price pressure. Nolan called on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, to prioritize direct supports to maintain the sector. She also highlighted the potential negative impact of a 40% increase in input costs and stressed the importance of valuing Irish sheep and lamb products, which generate about €400 million annually.