Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am not satisfied with the response provided by the Minister of State this evening. In my opinion, an annual report does not satisfy transparency and consistency requirements. The suggestion that it does means we are focusing on the general rather than specific incidences of appeals by farmers. At the end of the day, farmers in this country are entitled to access to decisions which are being made under natural and constitutional law. That is fundamental. It must be remembered that family law proceedings, which are very sensitive, are reported. The decisions of appeal boards in refugee law cases are reported and published, yet Irish farmers do not have similar rights.

I ask that the Minister of State make this issue a priority during his term in office.