Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I listened to the Minister of State's reply on the cost of the fair deal scheme. This Bill is about ensuring the scheme is a fair deal for the farming and business community. I appreciate the cap and it is good that it has been brought forward. I also appreciate the Minister of State's point that it will still cost a great deal. I strongly support Deputy Naughten's request to include people going back to the time when the Bill was first brought forward so that they can benefit from the fair deal scheme in the future. They should benefit from the new scheme, as Deputy Naughten said, because of the delay.

I am also unclear on the point raised by Deputy Burke. We appreciate the cap but it is unfair if another family member has taken over the farm and the Department goes back to find that the farm has not been transferred for more than five years. That aspect is very unfair and the Minister of State needs to clarify the point. It is very unfair that the family farm is being assessed and that it cannot be leased out in order that the person would qualify for the scheme.

Those two aspects of the new Bill are very unfair and do not really address the problems the farming and business communities have. It is very unfair that more is being asked from farmers and businesses than from other applicants under the fair deal scheme. For others, it is only the family home and not the business of the farm that is covered. I reiterate my great concern that it is still not a fair deal or Bill for the farmers and the business community.