Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I lend my voice to the assertion that this is a unique and unprecedented situation. The State is closing down and making illegal an area of farming. We only have three farms in the country, all of which are rurally based. I met the people involved. One individual said that if his employees are not compensated properly and sufficiently and do not stay in that area, it will mean the loss of the teacher in the local school. That is how much of an impact this is going to have on rural areas.

I sat across the table from three people who have invested their lives and enormous amounts of money into these businesses. They accept their businesses are going to be made illegal. They accept that. I do not know if I would, if I were in their shoes. They told us they have invested millions since 2012, in particular, with guidance, instructions, blessings and encouragement from the Department to keep everything in tip-top shape from an animal welfare point of view. They now accept this decision that will put them out of business. We must treat them fairly and compensate them in full. There should be no cloak and dagger or secrecy involved.

I agree entirely that if the Department can afford to pay €100,000 to Grant Thornton for a report on where this should go, it should at least share it with the three people involved. They need to see that report. Why can the report not be shared with the three people whose lives are being changed by these Government demands? They are aware the Government has that report and it must be shared with them. I plead with the Minister of State to share that report. As the Leader has said, I plead with the Minister of State to come back on Report Stage with amendments to make sure the employees of those three farms and the farmers themselves are treated fairly. Those farmers will have to start new businesses and will not do that without seed capital. They have invested a lot of money in bringing their farms up to scratch. It is unbelievable. There were tears at that meeting today. It was emotional from my side of the table. The people involved are accepting their plight but they must be treated fairly. As I said on Second Stage, there are three farmers and three businesses involved. The Government can sit the three of them around the table. It is not as if we are dealing with a stakeholder forum or representative body. I plead with the Minister of State. We must treat these people fairly and properly.