Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

If I could add to that, a lot of this again comes up in the context of process, fairness and engagement. It brings me back to that point, which I will not open up today for debate, about the farmers’ charter. That is the recurring theme and it is the book about which farmers want to be able to say this is all set out, with processes and fairness. I know the Minister is working on it and I do not propose we discuss it today but I would appreciate if we could be kept updated as a committee as to how that is progressing, given it is one key issue that keeps coming up. There are farmers’ charters throughout the European Union. They rely heavily on them and they are quoted extensively in national parliaments and by farmers’ representative bodies. They say they are working on it and I know there are some outstanding issues. As I said, I am not asking the Minister to do this today, but I ask that we be kept up to speed on that process. It is a really important document that will send out a clear signal from central government, the Minister's Department and this committee that we are serious and that it is not lip service but is embedded in a charter for farmers.