Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to introduce some clarify for Dr. Florence Renou-Wilson because she might not know what has been going on in this country for many years. Farmers with that type of ground got grants from the Government to drain said land. This was to help them to derive a living from the land they were given or they bought. That is all what they had to put food on the table. They got grants and were advised by bodies such as ACOT and Teagasc to drain their land to keep more stock. Now, people are saying they cannot keep their cattle and must drown these lands because they are a big problem and to go to hell after that. That is not fair.

I note the deliberate action of raising the water table. People worked hard to lower the water table to dry their lands. To be told all of a sudden that they must change their tactics, block drains, flood the land, have ducks and wild birds and not to keep their animals is absolutely ridiculous.

The witnesses are, by and large, referring to the midlands. We know what happened in the budget. I do not regret the people in the midlands getting money to compensate them for being unable to work in Bord na Móna. However, the fact is that the people in rural Ireland who must have a car, tractor and a lorry will pay the carbon tax to foot the Government’s decision to close these bogs that are creating energy. The policy is all electric. However, in the finish, if we close down all the power stations, where are we going to get the electricity? I do not think anybody has answered that question.

I live in and represent Kerry. People from the midlands have been on to me, however, about Bord na Móna blocking drains and stopping pumping water from the bogs. They are concerned such action will flood adjacent lands and that they will not be able to cut turf or farm their lands. If the water from these State-owned lands cannot reach the main drainage course, it will create difficulties for people around those places.

There is a big question as to the legality of what is proposed. The witnesses need to get ready to answer those people. They have used these watercourses for generations. Blocking watercourses willy-nilly like this cannot be done without consulting and coming to an agreement with neighbouring landowners. Some of those affected will never again be able to cut turf.