Seanad debates

Thursday, 3 March 2022

Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

10:30 am

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief on this. I waited for the Minister's response and I have taken into account what everybody else has said and it is really important that we get a fair deal for the three farmers involved and for their employees. As Senator Higgins has said, there is a constructive way forward. In his reply, the Minister said twice publicly that he will meet the farmers again. It is really important and positive that we take that step forward.

I know some people did not like it but, if you look up our last election manifesto, you will see that it was Fianna Fáil policy to get rid of fur farming. I know that not everybody agreed with it but that was our policy. I was a Deputy at the time and, in our discussions on that, we made it quite clear that there would have to be proper compensation for the farmers and their employees. Everybody is of one mind on that. How we progress is the important thing. However, the Minister has made it quite clear today that he is going to meet these people. I know they were not happy with the last meeting. The Minister has acknowledged that.Maybe with another meeting or two we can make some worthwhile progress to get a proper solution to this, so those people are happy. As Senator Doherty said, these people have paid their taxes, their employees have paid their taxes and they have contributed to the State. This is happening because of changes to Government and EU policy. I agree that we must look after these people when they are suffering because of a change in policy.

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