Mr. Damian McDonald:

While undoubtedly there is certainly a demand for workers all year round, there is a seasonality factor. There is a precedent both here and in the UK, where it has worked very well, for a seasonal workers scheme. The frustration expressed by our members relates to the fact that we have had a very rapid expansion on the dairy side and farmers are trying very hard to get people to work on farms. They cannot get people. It is probably a bit unfair to say that the work permits solution is the first option because farmers have tried very hard to get people, but some response is required. We would suggest having a more supervised type programme for people to come in and work on Irish farms would certainly be worth piloting. We believe there are many people from countries outside the European Union who have a latent skill in agriculture who would have a great deal to contribute if they came to Ireland to work and they would also have the potential to get involved at managerial level on farms. There is a great deal of frustration among farmers. Someone else made the point that farmers are essentially sole traders. They do not operate like a big company that has an advertising department and human resources department to seek to take on somebody. This is a complex enough operation for a sole trader. I believe we need to intervene if we are going to make it work.