Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

The nitrates directive will have a severe and damaging impact on agriculture and as a result of the directive there is a plan to jail some farmers who care for the land. Farmers have been custodians of the land for generations and have farmed and protected it. Families have fought over land and farmers have worked hard to maintain its condition. The Government has signed off on something that will see farmers jailed for minding their land.

See this speech in context