Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I noted with interest that they referred to Slieve Aughty. There are satellite images of where it has been grazed. What has gone on in Slieve Aughty is a disgrace. I have followed the story with interest and I have talked to those involved on a regular basis. Yesterday, I discussed the issue with officials from the National Parks and Wildlife Service in Athlone. They told me they are prepared to go to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I believe they have a big part to play. As Deputy Ó Cuív said earlier with regard to destocking, I believe we may have gone too far one way. We may have destocked the mountains too much. However, it was not the farmers who did this; it was the people in suits telling them what to do. We cannot simply leave a site in a decimated state and walk away from it. They should come back behind the farmer and explain the situation to whomever needs to know. I believe this working group needs to look outside the box. I said to the previous witnesses that a coming together of all sides in Ireland is no good. My understanding is that a person came from Europe to look at this and decided he was going to go harder because he was not told the site was designated. We need to ensure everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.

I said this earlier to the other farmer organisations. I am looking for straight answers. What do the witnesses think of the charter of rights for farmers? Is it worth the paper it is written on? I have dealt with some farmers in cases in which it appeared that it was not complied with. Basically, I was told that people did not really have to adhere to it. I am trying to get to the bottom of this. Has it standing? Will it stand or will it not? I am looking for a straight answer. I presume all the witnesses have proper clarification on whether it will stand or not.