Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Most of us in the room would probably agree the major problem is uncontrolled burning and the damage it does in the months indicated. Last May we saw really large fires take control of the landscape. It would be interesting to know what responsibility the Department has in preventing such fires. Last year or the year before there was only one application for a licence for controlled burning in the State but there were 70 cases of burning outside of that. Unfortunately, we are dealing with the top of the iceberg to a certain extent and we must deal with the rest as well. There is no doubt there are major concerns about the management of landscapes and ecosystems. There has been a radical deterioration in the health of particular species. In 1999, 18 species were on the red or endangered list but now the number is approximately 25. There is a problem we must recognise as an Oireachtas.