Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. He is new to dealing with the Bill in this Chamber but not to the background of this legislation. I also welcome the three farmers who have taken time off from their farms to come here from Kerry, Laois and Donegal. I am conscious everybody is busy and people have many things going on, but the kernel of this matter is the issue of adequate compensation. Ministers have said the floor of the Seanad is not where we negotiate a final settlement or deal, and I acknowledge that. All I have sought on behalf of these farmers is fair play, and I have no skin in this game, if I may be excused for the pun.

When a Government issues a decree to close any business, and that could be a poultry farm or something else tomorrow, there may be valid reasons for doing so, such as for animal health reasons, for example, but it is important it be recognised we are closing an industry and closing off livelihoods and incomes. Layers of knowledge and expertise have been built up in this business. I know the Minister of State's constituency well and he represents a rural community. In the context of a just transition, we talk about supporting rural communities. Change does come and it is inevitable.

Where I and most Senators stand in the context of this issue concerns the need to support these people in respect of their livelihoods and those of their families and to acknowledge the major investment they have put into the sector. Neither I nor anyone else here is in favour of continuing mink farming. That debate is long over. I am also conscious this matter was debated at length in the Dáil. I have taken the time to look at what Deputies said during that debate. I cannot pass judgment on what they decided to do, but we are members of the Upper House and we have the opportunity to amend, polish or seek to bring some changes to this legislation.

I believe the Minister of State will agree with my main point, but I would like to hear him say it at some stage. We want to stand in solidarity with these people in respect of giving them a fair deal. I am not going to decide what that is, but they must get a fair deal that recognises their enormous contribution. I refer to the costs of lost income, demolition, and environmental and other assessments that must be included in the mix. We have leverage here. I will put myself in the boots of these mink farmers, so to speak, and say they have leverage now. They will have none once this legislation is passed, other than the goodwill and the good words of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Ministers of State and the Department officials.

I am not here to doubt the goodwill of the Minister, the Ministers of State or the officials in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. We must, however, view this situation from the farmers' perspective as well. It is grand they have been told there will be a negotiation or some arrangement, but it must be fair and meaningful. What concerns me when these people leave this House tonight or on Thursday night is whether they will have any leverage or any comeback afterwards. We will certainly not have any comeback with the Department.

I acknowledge the extensive work of the Minister of State in agriculture and that he is a fair man to deal with and represents a rural constituency. Regarding tonight's work, I am just trying to set the scene regarding where I am coming from on this issue and where my support is directed. I support a fair transition and compensation for these farmers. I think the Minister of State.