I raise this matter because numerous complaints have been made to me about how individuals, be they farmers, veterinarians or people generally in that sector, are treated by officials. I raised this matter previously in a Topical Issue Debate and I was told at the time that action would be taken. Since then, I must admit that some action was taken. I thank the Taoiseach for his particular interest in the case which I raised that day.
However, the same individuals are now causing the same difficulties with businesses, by entering the business, practice or farm and treating the individuals as if they were criminals and as if a decision had already been made on their case. Actions such as people taking a particular medication from a vehicle, entering an office and taking papers, not explaining who they represent and essentially taking the law into their own hands and treating people very badly comprise the general complaint I am receiving. On the last occasion that I mentioned a case, it was dealt with. It is unusual that the case brought to my attention recently is one in which an individual, who at that time was asked to present himself as a witness and refused to do so on the basis that he had nothing to do with that case, is now being investigated by the Department and being treated like a criminal. Before the case is even heard he is now asked to answer a fitness to practise complaint from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
An individual in this State is innocent until proven guilty. Surely the Department must go through a process to find out the extent of the wrongdoing or non-compliance with a regulation before it goes anywhere else. That is the least one would expect, but that is not happening in this case. I believe it is not happening due to the fact that he refused not so much to co-operate but to support a story, which was untrue, of another veterinarian on another occasion. Protocols and regulations must be put in place to ensure that this does not happen and to ensure an innocent individual, who has not been convicted anywhere, is treated fairly. The leaks from the Department to the media about these cases must be stopped. They are putting jobs in the country at risk as well as the reputation of an individual or individuals who have never been convicted and have yet to go through the process. The Department is using the might of its legal arm and taxpayers' money to chase down those people, break them before they go into court and have their reputations and businesses ruined.
There was a case in which Judge Reynolds made certain references to individuals. That type of case still occurs. I am aware of one such case. It is really offensive that the State would ruin a person's life and business without first going to the courts and finding out the facts. I also believe the might of the State's legal arm and taxpayers' money should not be used to force an individual into a position where they must accept something that they believe they are innocent of, because they cannot afford, on either a reputation or financial basis, to go through the courts. It is unacceptable.