Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There was some technical issue around the wording. I will come back to the Deputies on that. I am anxious to get it done as quickly as possible and it will be prioritised for next Tuesday.

In terms of mink farming, I think it is the right policy. The mink is foreign to our biodiversity in many respects. As to fair compensation, the Minister has met with the farmers concerned. There was a lot of disquiet about the fact mink farming was going on in the country and it raised a lot of concerns. From a policy perspective, the decision was taken, it is in the programme for Government and it was followed through on. I will relay the Deputy’s concerns to the Minister, who is engaging with the farmers concerned in terms of the agreements entered into.

In terms of wildlife, we are currently recruiting for the wildlife investigations unit; that recruitment is under way and it is a very welcome initiative. On the broader National Parks and Wildlife Service, I can tell the Deputy that before this Government is finished, that will be well and truly enhanced in terms of resources and its status within the overall framework of Government infrastructure on the issue of biodiversity.

See this speech in context