Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Boyhan's point regarding the staff involved. This is a unique situation because legislation is being introduced to ban a farming practice. While most of us fully support the principle behind the Bill, there will always be consequences from such a decision and the Bill is reflective of that in terms of supports and compensation for the businesses involved but we must also be cognisant of the staff involved. Because of the nature of this process, the Opposition will not be permitted to bring forward amendments in that regard given that costs would arise. It would be very useful, therefore, if the Department and the Minister would engage with us on our proposals. One of the suggestions is that there would be a one-off lump sum for the staff involved. We may not need to talk about huge sums of money but we should recognise that people are losing their jobs because of a decision of the Oireachtas. This is a unique situation, and I ask that the Minister give consideration to that.

I have one final point about how the legislation could potentially be improved. Most of the fur involved is for export, but it would be useful if we could insert into the Bill a ban on the importation of fur, particularly as we are banning its production in Ireland. It would defeat the purpose and principle of the Bill if we were to import fur products that are banned here. Would the Minister be willing to amend the Bill in that regard?