Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for attending. They were described by one of the previous speakers as the most important voice in the debate and it is in that vein that I ask the three organisations to give an evaluation on the consultation that has taken place to date, including in respect of Bord na Móna's engagement with Mr. Butler's organisation and the adjoining landowners, and the departmental and ministerial engagement.

In its opening statement, the ICMSA referenced the fact that the Minister, Deputy Ryan, announced €108 million of taxpayer funding for a rewetting and restoration project. He met workers and Bord na Móna, but did not meet adjoining landowners. I wonder whether that has been corrected and whether there has been any engagement with relevant State bodies, as well is with Bord na Móna, and where improvements can be made.

Mr. Cullinan mentioned issues regarding flooding, which were outlined in some detail by the IFA and ICMSA in their opening statements. We will meet representatives of Bord na Móna later. In his opening statement, Dr. David Wilson cited a definition of "rewetting", stating that "Clearly, in this regard rewetting does not equate to flooding". It would be useful if the organisations present could outline the basis of their concerns regarding the flooding of lands currently in productive use and what needs to be put in place to deal with that.

The issue of turbary rights has been mentioned by those who have been cutting turf on Bord na Móna land for their private use. If there have been discussions on how those rights could be upheld on alternative land or arrangements have been put in place which the witnesses are aware of, I would like to hear about that.

I was interested in Mr. Curley's submission and his remarks on an alternative view to the strategy in place. He said rewetting is not suitable for all bogs. Could he go into a little more detail as to the alternatives? Are there are any signs from the Department or Bord na Móna that they are willing to consider alternative uses of land for carbon sequestration through alternative mechanisms?

This project will be significant in respect of our climate obligations. Taxpayers will invest substantial funding. In the most recent round, €108 million of taxpayers' money was allocated to the restoration project. Bord na Móna, a semi-State company, is putting in another €18 million. By any account, that will likely be followed with further investment. That is a lot of money on behalf of the taxpayer. There needs to be full accountability and transparency on how decisions are made and full engagement with people who are affected by these decisions.

As this committee examines that issue, we need to be definitive in regard to ownership. The land and the projects that benefit from funding need to remain the responsibility of the State. Bord na Móna cannot decide at any point in the medium to long term that it is going to walk away and pass this on to other agencies or put it into the hands of some international conglomerate or something of that nature. We need to be very clear in our messaging. If, as a people, we are going to invest this level of funding the stakeholders involved need to be engaged with and the public needs to have assurances that this is being done in the public good, as opposed to there being any interior motive.