Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 23 Oct 2024

The passing of this Bill must be one of the fastest we have done. I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators for the efficiency. I welcome Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan and his guests. It is nice to see them all.

I will be travelling down to their part of the country tomorrow with Deputy O'Sullivan. They can leave a cup of coffee for me along the road. I will pick it up later tonight. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House.

I thank the Seanadóirí for their time and their contributions on Committee Stage of this Bill. Over the past two years, this legislation has been brought through the consultation process. My officials and I have worked with stakeholders, farming representatives and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to achieve this. Where possible, we have taken on board the views expressed by stakeholders and the recommendations of the joint committee. Changes have been incorporated into the Bill to reflect these views.

On previous occasions, I have said that I believe we already have a fair and independent appeals system. The fact that 35% to 40% of appeals submitted to the appeals office each year are overturned fully or partially in favour of the farmer speaks to that. However, I believe that the independent review panel, which will include members with practical knowledge and experience of farming, will serve to further enhance the efficiency and independence of the existing appeals system and provide reassurance to farmers bringing an appeal.

The amendments to the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 are also important in that members can now serve on the board of the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board or as chair or ordinary member beyond the age of 70. This means their experience and expertise are not lost by virtue of reaching a specific age. The amendments also ensure the tenure of the chairperson of the appeals board is sufficiently aligned with the code of practice for the governance of State bodies.

I am very grateful to the Seanad and the Dáil for supporting the Bill. I look forward to see it go through the Oireachtas and being passed. I thank Ms Lynda O'Regan, Mr. David O'Loughlin and Ms Ruth Kinehan for their work on the Bill.

I chaired the Second Stage debate on the Bill last Thursday, which we got through reasonably quickly. I had a fair idea that there was no opposition here on Thursday on Second Stage. This Bill has unanimity and zero opposition. This does not happen too often. I commend the Minister and his officials on the work they have done on this to ensure there was literally no opposition to the Bill. It is clearly popular legislation on all sides of the House. I congratulate the Minister and his staff and commend the Bill on its passing.

I compliment the Minister on this legislation. The independent appeals office does a very important job to make sure that if farmers have an issue with the Department, they can go to an independent actor. The fact that it is independent is why it is so important. Even though it works within the remit of the Department to some degree, it is still independent. "Independent" is the important word in the entire set-up. It gives the farming community a level of reassurance that if an issue with the Department arises, they have a place to go. Previously, the office has worked quite well.

The amendments brought forward by the Minister are helpful. I have sat in on these boards with constituents. I realise how stressful it can be for farmers when they have to go through this process. It is an important process that helps the farming community have faith in the system. That is what is important here.

While there may not be much interest in this in the Seanad, there is significant interest in the farming community, which is very much aware of this legislation. They are also aware of the good work the appeals system does. It is now about trying to make sure that this legislation is passed, signed and moved on. Hopefully we can have it enacted in the next few hours.