Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Seanad has debated this issue at length three times. We have discussed it at length, gone around the House and asked the Department for clarification and to address issues regarding a just transition for these communities. Three communities will be affected, with 35 jobs lost and 35 families affected, and the three farming families will lose their incomes. This will happen not because of economic issues but because of a Government policy decision. We have been trying to hammer out in this House a way to ensure there will be a fair transition for these families, the families of the workers and the three communities overall.

The Minister of State is very much aware that the terminology of a just transition was brought forward to help communities deal with changes in environments because of Government policy. Climate change has been an example everyone has used in respect of the need for a just transition. When it came to this issue, we asked the Department for clarity regarding how it proposed to bring about a just transition for these three communities. We did not get much. The Minister of State has given guarantees on the record and they must be reiterated. The guarantees to take a fair approach to these communities are important. Otherwise, we will be dealing with a scenario where the representatives of these family farms will have one arm tied behind their back when they negotiate with the Department.

I also raised the issue of having a mediator put in place to work with the Department and these three family farms on compensation. We are not here to negotiate on their behalf; far from that. Statements have been made regarding the Seanad trying to negotiate a deal. It is anything but that. We are trying to put a process in place where a fair deal can be instituted for both sides. More important will be how it looks. We pass legislation, we give full power to the Department and then it dictates what will happen. The worst scenario here would be that these families would, unfortunately, end up suffering because of what will happen.

This legislation is not about fur farmers; it is about the agricultural community overall. There could be dramatic changes in the decades to come and this legislation could be used as the benchmark in dealing with those. That is a major fear for every farming sector. The measures to be taken under this legislation might be seen in future as ones that worked and as ones to be repeated. Therefore, this is not just about the fur farming industry but about the entire agricultural community and how it could be grossly impacted by this enabling legislation that could be used as a stick with which to beat it.

Will the Minister of State reaffirm the commitments given by the other Minister of State in the House that a fair package will be put in place for these communities and for these family farms - they are going to be no more because of a Government decision - to allow all concerned to move forward. We all realise there is time pressure associated with this legislation and that we must make progress. What we are trying to do, however, is to be constructive. Articles in the newspapers this weekend were unhelpful, to say the least. If anything, we are trying to fight for these communities and to fight for fair compensation for the farming community. If I am condemned for that, I will be condemned for it. What I am trying to do is to ensure there will be a fair package for everyone.