Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Horgan to the committee and thank him for his presentation.

The one Bord na Móna success story I am aware of is the waste water treatment units that were in widespread use throughout the country in the past number of years, particularly with the development of single rural houses. Kerry County Council used this system in all its rural houses. They were of a high quality and could compete with any unit being manufactured in any part of the world. How is this business being progressed by Bord na Móna? I believe these units were also being exported.

I come from the border of Cork and Kerry. Barna Bog is a huge disused bog in that area and was an important industry at one time. Could the bog be developed as an amenity? It is lying idle at present and the local community is anxious to avail of it as an officially developed amenity area, with the co-operation of Bord na Móna and possibly of Kerry County Council and local community groups such as the local Leader group, IRD Duhallow. A huge heritage aspect attaches to the bog and it contains interesting flora and fauna. The bog roads are in good shape although they may need some upgrading. I ask Mr. Horgan to examine this matter, perhaps in conjunction with the local communities. I could assist him in identifying the people with whom he could work.

Bord na Móna used to administer a bog road grant which was widely used by people to gain access to turbary areas. In the past ten years these roads have deteriorated seriously and are becoming impassable. The grant was of great benefit to local communities. Could Mr. Horgan, with the assistance of the appropriate Department, investigate this matter? No assistance is given by county councils or Departments for the maintenance of bog roads and the grants are sorely missed.

What is the total acreage of Bord na Móna land under forestry and wind turbines? Lands adjoining wind turbines are often marginal and in poor condition. Could local farmers be integrated into these developments so that they would gain some revenue?