Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his time today. It has been a difficult debate. A cohort of Senators from all sides of the House have followed this through on all Stages. I will put myself in a mink farmer's boots tonight. I think I would be disappointed and disheartened. They have come tonight from Donegal, the Minister's constituency, from Laois and from Kerry. They have businesses. The message that has to go out, loud and clear, is that all of these mink farmers are decent, upstanding people with the utmost integrity, who have operated legitimate businesses within the law, complied with tax and regulations, and have had previous engagement with the Department. They are not an underhand operation. There is no illegal activity in this operation in the State. In my mind, they are entrepreneurs, farmers, businesspeople, and respectful people who have put their money on the table, toiled hard and reaped some rewards. Suddenly, as a result of a decree by the Government, through legislation, it has been decided to wind the farmers' legitimate businesses down. Next week, it could be someone involved in turkey production or something else.

We heard much talk about sustainable farming, rural development and commitments to rural communities. We have continuously heard that. The Government prides itself on supporting town and village centres and rural people, communities and enterprise. What message does this send to these people who wanted to continue their business?

I have always opposed mink farming. I do not think it is right. It has passed. It was supported and encouraged, as the Minister acknowledged, by his Department. I take some comfort in his words. He said he wants to be fair and equitable, and that he does not want to have a deal on the floor of the House, which I can understand. This is not the place to be dealing. We were left with no option, because these farmers had little or no leverage. The only leverage they had is on us as elected politicians in this House. We have the power and capacity, if we have the support, which I accept and respect, to change the legislation. No amendment was accepted. This is par for the course with all sorts of legislation under this coalition Government. There will be a time, in a few years, when the parties will have to split up and go their own ways. They will share the frustration that some of us in the Opposition have every day with all legislation. It is clearly a numbers game.

I do not doubt the Minister's commitment to rural communities or to the people of Donegal, including the mink farmers who reside and operate in his constituency. In principle, there are many good aspects to this Bill. It is the nature of politics that one comes in here to tease out issues and to make amendments. That is the reality of politics, which I respect at all times. I have hope from what the Minister said. He recognised that farms are legal and compliant, and that the farmers are decent people. He recognised that their livelihoods will suffer. They will drive away to the north west or wherever else, dejected in some ways, as I would be.

I am trying to get myself into the shoes of others. At the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I, more than anyone, was rigorous and robust in my questioning of these farmers. I think they will admit that themselves. When I teased it out more, the concern was not animal welfare, because I am clear where I stand on that, but the livelihoods and businesses of compliant entrepreneurs. I hope the Minister will keep in touch with us and them. I hope he will set out to seek to support them and be conscious that, whatever deal we do with these farmers and their families, there will be impacts for them personally, their businesses, employees and communities. I say to the people of Laois, Donegal and Kerry that we have done our best within the confines of the political system. That is all we can do. They will have their moment and opportunity to voice their concern and make their judgments about this legislation. We have done our best within the parameters of the system. It now rests with the Minister. I am more than confident that he will be decent and fair, and that he will deliver for these people. Hopefully he will keep Senators in the loop.