Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The two main things that this Bill addresses are animal welfare and nature, through the planting of woodland. It is a positive Bill and a positive story. We have known for a long time that mink farming had to end, as it has in other countries. I would say it is a cruel practice, which is now recognised. Only by ending it do we enable businesses to be compensated.We must pass the legislation in order for that part to happen.

In answer to issues around the ending of mink farming and small-scale farming, regulations are put in place. That is the way legislation works. The Minister has been consistent, as have all the Ministers, in that they truly care about the people behind this and getting it right for them. It is difficult when people cannot see the regulations in front of them. I appreciate that but each farm will have to be assessed individually. That is just the reality of it. I will return to the point that the Minister has consistently said he will be fair. We have also consistently said that we want a small-scale planting scheme that increases our native woodland. That is where we are trying to get to with this. Our hearts are in the right place. People being able to involve themselves in the consultation, as they can under an SEA and appropriate assessment, is the correct approach.

I understand the points that have been raised around people not knowing what the make-up of future governments will be but, let us be honest about it, primary legislation can be changed too. We have to have some level of trust in the Ministers who are in place at the time to get the regulations right. The best way to do that is to have appropriate assessments, which we do not have in legislation. That can only be done when it is time to put the scheme in place.

I believe this is the correct approach. I look forward to the consultation. As I said, many of the issues raised were very valid.