I will briefly respond on any EIAs required where demolition is carried out. Certainly, if an EIA is required, that is provided for in the legislation in terms of the compensation. My understanding is that will be covered. On the calculation of the compensation, calculation of the recent profits of a business is normally used as a means of placing a value on such a company. Ordinarily, the average of only three years of recent profitability is taken into consideration, but we decided that, in this case, five years …

No, I did not say that. I said that the Department is still considering the statutory redundancy piece. The other issue I was bringing back to the Oireachtas relates to section 4. It was the amendment proposed by the Sinn Féin Senators regarding the dogs. The Department is working on a proposal very much in keeping with the proposed amendment and that will come before the Oireachtas.

I cannot confirm the specifics of that but the Department is still considering the redundancy issue.

I will respond to that point first. The proposal is not to bring legislation but the Department is working on a proposal that is in keeping with the proposed amendment suggested by Senator Gavan and his colleagues. I expect that to reach the Oireachtas in the coming months. That is the information I have but I will delve into it and find more details out because it is something I am interested in. Senator Higgins put it well when she said it has been a thoughtful discussion on this issue. These issues might not hav…

I reiterate my thanks to the Cathaoirleach and the team behind the event earlier today. It was really lovely. We are good at labelling. Of course, this applies to all walks of life but today I want to challenge our understanding of two ways in which we label farmers. One is loaded with positive assumptions, the other much less so. One is the label "productive or commercial farmer" while the other is the somewhat belittling term "hobby farmer", which is often used to describe those who farm on a part-time basis. Reg…

I am here on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, who is away at the moment. I thank the Deputies for raising this important matter. The very significant rise in fertiliser prices in the last year, and particularly in recent months, is concerning and my Department is closely monitoring the situation. While there are a number of factors at play in the market, there is no sign of fertiliser prices easing in the short to medium term. There are no fertilisers manufactured in Ireland. Rather, fertiliser companies…

-----their farm outputs in the face of rising fertiliser costs and reduced availability. Teagasc is working with farmers through the Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser campaign to help them adapt to the current fertiliser market and support them to make informed decisions on what is best for their farms. This is a strategy that can ease the price pressure on farmers. It is a strategy that will be good for the environment and good for farmers' pockets. At the November meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, t…

I thank the Deputies. I reiterate that the cost of fertilisers has nothing to do with Green Party policies. It is a global price increase because of gas prices.

Globally, gas prices have increased.

If the Deputy has been following any of the current affairs, he will be aware of that. Fertiliser is essentially made from gas. If the gas prices go up, the fertiliser price goes up. I cannot be much clear than that.

We have engaged, as I said, with the EU Commissioner on Agriculture. We have requested that they assess one of the aspects in terms of the appropriateness of the anti-dumping duties. We are making inroads into that. We are hoping that the EU Commission will respond with some positive news on that. Certainly, my colleague, the Minister-----

My colleague, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, has been seeking that as a priority.

The measures I outlined are practical measures.

We are ultimately on a roadmap here to-----

Not at all. The Deputy is wrong. It is to enable farmers to become sustainable so that their farms are sustainable for future generations. The current model does not work. We cannot leave farmers at a loose end with no fertiliser. We need to support farmers to adapt to farming practices. Deputy Michael Collins should know. I understand the Deputy is an organic farmer.

The Deputy should share his knowledge.

The Deputy should share his knowledge as an organic farmer-----

-----with his colleagues.

The Deputy should share his knowledge with his colleagues.

My Department is working hard.