Mr. Janez Poto?nik:

Since I have already explained the most important points I will just add some things to that. In my policy to implement legislation at an EU level, I have a nice saying which I am trying to stick to. I want to be strictly helpful and helpfully strict. That is the policy I am trying to conduct in this case.

Deputy Flanagan is right that subsidiarity is bottom-up. However, if we have European law, and it states that special areas of conservation are protected under the habitats directive, my role is pretty simple. It is not easy but I have to take care that this is fulfilled. How this is done is a subsidiarity issue. This is something that has to be done by intelligent and proactive government policy. Experience from various cases tells me that lasting solutions are achieved when there is an engagement of the parties with different views and where they find a reasonable compromise for the future that takes into account the legality of the question to be answered.

I was happy to hear Deputy Flanagan speak of his willingness to engage. That is the right way. I would also encourage him to continue in that direction. It is important for bringing internal peace to sensitive issues such as this one. Peace in a disputable situation, in whatever member state, cannot be brought from Brussels. We have to take care that things are fulfilled in the way the law requires, and I can guarantee that we will. If we have no other option we will, of course, use the court option but we absolutely prefer that things are done in a way that gets everybody on board and understanding the importance of the problem to be solved. I was also happy to hear that Deputy Flanagan has never been closer to the solution than he is now. That is also important information for me.

With regard to the problem of time, if we were to forget the ten years plus when nothing was done, the time issue would not be important. Unfortunately, we cannot forget the ten years plus when nothing was done. The case is long-lasting. In handling this case, I am under huge scrutiny by all the member states and the European Parliament where a large number of petitions are arriving complaining about how things are handled in Ireland.

This is a moment of opportunity when all should engage together. It is time for that. It is important that this energy is reached in Ireland. Deputy Flanagan has clearly and rightly explained the need to protect some of the bogs for his two sons. I also have two sons.