Mr. Macdara Doyle:

Not too long ago, Bord na Móna workers signed up to a plan that saw their jobs going by 2027 to 2028. They have already recognised the fact that peat is gone. They signed up to that and there is no issue there whatsoever. The only promises they have had so far have been promises about replacement jobs. They are vague and uncertain. We do not know when those jobs will come on stream. We do not know what pay rates will be paid. Will people be on the same rate of pay or less? Will people have trade union rights? Who will the employers be? Will the Bord na Móna workers who have left already, who are about to leave or who are being made redundant be guaranteed those jobs? We do not know if they will have first choice in respect of those jobs. In any transition process anywhere in the world where this has worked, replacement jobs are set aside for the workers in the industry affected. Our fear is that what is going to happen here is that new industries will be set up and the existing Bord na Móna workforce will be cast aside.