Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to acknowledge the presence of families and some workers from the three fur farms, who are present in the Gallery this evening. Obviously, the Bill has massive implications for their livelihoods and for the professions that they have built up over a couple of generations from the early 1960s with the support of the State. A number of the amendments have been ruled out of order for further discussion. They were discussed on different Stages earlier in the legislation process. I have been clear throughout this process that I fully understand the responsibility on me as Minister to ensure that there is a fair outcome for the farmers and the families concerned that reflects what this legislation means for them. They will no longer be able to continue what they do. They will no longer be able to have that livelihood that they have built up and to which they have been so attentive. They have complied with all regulations over the years. Indeed, they have provided employment in their local communities and these are rural communities, at that.

I was clear here in the Seanad when we spoke last on in the issue of repurposing buildings that I would deal with that in the regulations. I will also deal with the issue of additional payments and financial allocations to the employees in regulations to recognise the impact on them. I will also meet further with the farmers. When I last met with them, I committed to meet with them once again. As I said here on the previous occasion, as soon as this legislation is passed, I will sit down to meet with them further. As I said, I am also willing to sit down with Senators to have further discussions on that issue. The final negotiations cannot be dealt with here on the floor of the Seanad. It is a responsibility on me as Minister to bring those to a conclusion. I am cognisant of the responsibility that is on the Government and on me to ensure the impact on them is fair.

They have not asked for this. At all times they have conducted their business with ultimate professionalism and in line with the standards that have been asked of them. They want simply to be able to continue their livelihood. We as a State are deciding this, because we believe that this industry has outgrown its ability to be an industry anymore. Yet, we as a State and as a Government are making that decision and we are ending their livelihoods. That is a big thing for a Government, a Chamber or the Oireachtas to decide. It is important that this is properly reflected in the way that the farmers are engaged with. My clear commitment is to promptly sit down further with them, following on from the legislation.

I have no doubt that it will be frustrating for the farmers present this evening that the amendments will not discussed further because they technically cannot be facilitated on Report Stage. It is no desire of mine to evade anything. In fact, I want to get to the stage where I am sitting down to bring this to a conclusion. I know that the farmers want to get to that stage as well. They want to ensure that the conclusion is fair to them, as do I.

The amendment tabled by Senator Higgins proposes to insert provisions that additional criteria may be set out in the regulation to establish narrow native tree areas. This provision exists in section 9(d) under which conditions for an exemption to an afforestation licence may be prescribed under a regulation and, therefore, the Bill already facilitates in its current form the application of additional criteria in relation to the width of native tree areas. Furthermore, in advance of the introduction of any scheme, the Department will undertake a strategic environmental assessment, in which the public will be able to participate, as well as an appropriate assessment alongside that.

Following the completion of that strategic environmental assessment and the appropriate assessment, and subject to the findings of those two assessments, the Department will finalise the design of the scheme and associated terms and conditions around that. For that reason, I am not in a position to accept this amendment.