Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are coming to an important part of the Bill. We have debated it for ten or 12 hours. It has been a significant debate. The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine also went through the Bill. I am not going to rehash the arguments about just transition and how communities and families are going to be affected. This is a significant moment. We are closing an industry because of Government policy. That is a heavy burden on us all tonight.

We have spoken about compensation, whether the time concerned should be three, five or ten years, and where it will kick in. The Minister and his office have given significant commitments during the last eight or ten hours of this debate. The Minister is a man of his word and we will hold him to it. I have confidence the Minister will deliver for these people and communities. We in this Chamber are giving him exceptional powers on the back of the commitments he has given to us. I am very aware of that and will watch with interest and an open brief to make sure these families will be protected, going forward. Senator Burke was right when he said some of these people will never work again. It is an unusual day for this Chamber when we are casting the die on someone's working career. I am very much aware of that.

There are issues around compensation and just transition for the communities. The Minister has made good commitments in that regard and I look forward to seeing them being followed through upon. Society needs to be protected. While "big government" is a dangerous phrase, I am sure the Minister, having given his honourable word, will stand up for these farmers and ensure they get an honourable deal.