needs to draw up a charter outlining the rights of anyone under investigation which can be presented at the onset of any investigation, the Oireachtas Joint Committee for Agriculture has said.

The Committee has said the legal rights of individuals under investigation is of the "utmost importance", and is concerned that they are not being routinely informed of their right to legal counsel.

The Committee agreed to a series of recommendations in recent days, which were sent to Minister Simon Coveney for his consideration. The recommendations include that the Investigations Division possess no authority to determine Direct Payments; Gardaí be notified in cases of threats to Department Officials; Department Officials about whom complaints are being made be deemed innocent of wrongdoing until proven otherwise; and that court cases be initiated only when necessary.

The Committee stressed the importance of the principle of ‘innocent until proven otherwise’ and has serious concerns about the alleged heavy-handed approach previously adopted during some Special Investigations Unit (SIU) cases.

Committee Chairman Andrew Doyle TD: “It is vital that strong controls are in place to protect and enhance the reputation of our Agri-food sector. It is also vitally important is that farm families can have confidence that the infrastructure in place safeguarding these standards is robust, impartial and proportionate."