Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Social Democrats I congratulate Deputy McConalogue on his appointment as the new Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I wish him well in his new role and hope we can work in a collaborative fashion within this important portfolio. I also extend congratulations to Deputy James Browne, who is to be appointed a Minister of State.

One is tempted to quote Oscar Wilde with respect to the loss of two agriculture Ministers in quick succession. There is no doubt that carelessness was a factor in both these cases and at the very least both cases saw carelessness in the adherence to rules. The Taoiseach did what he needed to do following Deputy Barry Cowen's drink-driving ban controversy and it seemed at the time like a sign that the era of the golden circle, where certain politicians saw themselves as being above the law, was slowly coming to an end. Unfortunately, we saw the opposite only a few weeks later during the "golfgate" scandal. As we know, this scandal precipitated the resignation of Deputy Dara Calleary as Minister.

This scandal was a resounding message to the public that a golden circle still exists where certain people, including politicians, operate as if they are above the rules applying to everybody else. Deputy Calleary was right to resign in the circumstances following this scandal and he clearly seriously misjudged the position in light of the Covid-19 restrictions and public health guidance that he had a part in introducing while at Cabinet.

Covid-19 is the biggest shock to our State and the world in 100 years. How can the public have any confidence at all in the job being done by the Government if the people who set the rules do not follow them? The public has put in a major effort in the fight against Covid-19, sacrificing visits to loved ones in hospital and saying goodbye to them at funerals, as well as visiting parents in nursing homes, cheering children and grandchildren at matches and celebrating at weddings. These are the moments that make life worth living and they have been forfeited so we might have a chance of fighting the virus and protecting each other.

The golf society event was a gross affront to everybody who has made those sacrifices for the past six months and the public is understandably and justifiably angry. We need absolute buy-in and clarity at every level of the Government in approaching this pandemic; action must start at the very top, at Cabinet level.

The controversy surrounding agriculture Ministers has brought further disruption to a sector coming to grips with the impact of the pandemic. Farmers, fishing communities and all those in the agri-food sector need the support of a Minister in full control of the brief. There are serious concerns, highlighted by my colleague, Deputy Holly Cairns, that have been badly neglected as a result of all the instability in recent months.

There is the controversial forestry Bill, which is significantly flawed and in direct contravention of European Union directives and the Aarhus Convention. The new Minister must address serious concerns about the forestry licensing system and demonstrate how the public submissions during the very short consultation period are being incorporated into the Bill. The sudden enactment of a penalty points system for Irish fishermen and women without proper engagement with the industry was signed off by the Taoiseach and announced to the surprise and anger of those in the industry.

There have been outbreaks of Covid-19 in meat plants that directly led to the recent regional lockdowns in three counties, with nearly 1,500 Covid-19 cases associated with 28 meat or poultry factory outbreaks. These have served to highlight the serious underlying problems with worker rights in the industry. The Taoiseach must commit today to establishing a task force on this sector.

The new Minister, Deputy McConalogue, must bring a renewed focus on the serious issues presenting in the agriculture sector, putting an end to the controversies surrounding the post in recent months. This is so every effort can be focused on suppressing Covid-19 and ensuring consistent and sustainable support for the important agriculture sector.

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