Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The problem concerns unannounced inspections. In such cases, there is no application for a warrant and the investigation unit has significant powers. The process has been rubber-stamped by the Government. Most farmers want to comply with the regulations. However, let us take the example of a small farmer in the west with financial problems and living on his own who is subject to an unannounced inspection. This creates a bad relationship between local inspectors and the farmer. On top of this, as Deputy Willie Penrose said, people are not informed if they are entitled to legal advice or representation by the IFA or the ICMSA during an inspection. A little support could do a lot in these cases.