Mr. James Doyle:

We need a bottom up approach and consultation with the people who live on the farms and territory of rural Ireland. Much of what comes from Brussels much of the time does not take into account the people, and decisions are made remotely. We need to go back to a community and knowledge-based approach. The best knowledge is on the ground and was handed down to us by our forefathers. We have always cared for the land and our rivers. A classic example in Kerry is with regard to fires on the MacGillicuddy Reeks as a result of bad policy, some of which emanates from Brussels in response to overgrazing of sheep. The mountains have always been burned in a very controlled way to enable young growth to provide grazing for sheep. The sheep were compulsorily removed, which meant the heather and other plants grew to ten or 12 feet high and as soon as they took fire it turned into a forest fire. This is what happens and it puts much property at risk. It comes back to the rural forum which could be established and would allow interaction. The advice from those who have traditionally farmed and worked the land, and who know better than most how to manage the countryside, should be taken as professional advice. The same applies with regard to the rivers. I do not know when some of the maps available were drawn up, but as Deputy Stanley stated, it makes no sense that a river plain extends over a hill which is 300 feet high, as is the case.

That is the case and the reason I alluded to it in my opening remarks. I think the answer to the problem is a rural forum where rural people would have an input and would be consulted to deliver sensible decisions as to how farms and the countryside would develop.