Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

To be honest, I am concerned, as I made clear in my previous contributions. I am concerned specifically about the lack of guarantees around the workers' package. The Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, made the point that this is not the place to negotiate the package. I get that and I was clear in that regard. I was, last week, seeking a negotiation of the principles that would underpin a package and I was disappointed that those principles were not accepted.

I agree entirely with Senator Burke when he said that we should be talking about compensation with regard to an enhanced redundancy package based on weeks per year of service. We need to be talking about a significantly enhanced package. I would suggest a minimum of six weeks' compensation per year of service.

A number of us, across parties, have become engaged with this process because we have heard at first hand the dramatic impact on the workers themselves. We received correspondence from the farmers this week telling us just how anxious and stressed the workers are.To be frank with the Minister, they do not have confidence in the way he is doing this. If they had confidence, they would not have travelled from Kerry and various other parts of the country this evening. It was frustrating not to be able to discuss their concerns here at length this evening. The Minister has the scope to do more. The decisions ultimately come down to him, not his Department. He has power over the Department. I have no qualms about calling on him to ensure a full and generous package is given to these workers to enable them to move forward with their lives. It is shattering to see their livelihoods taken away, notwithstanding that all parties agree these farms have to close.

My last word is that in the event these people are not treated fairly and given a generous package, I assure the Minister I will bring the matter back into this Chamber. I am sure I will not be the only one. We will watch intently to see how the Minister keeps his word to these workers after their shabby treatment. He could have done more, met with them and given them reassurances at any point over the last months. He chose not to. I went out of my way to try to give a formula of words last week that would give some assurance about the principles involved and fairness. The Minister of State, acting on the Minister's behalf, chose not to. The Minister has much to live up to. He should not let these workers and their families down.