Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the farming organisations for coming before us and giving us their detailed presentations. I come from County Offaly, which is very much the focus of this work. It appears that the process is being rushed and pushed, which causes some concern.

I have been contacted by a number of concerned farmers who feel that the consultation with Bord na Móna was not good from the start. It needs to be more forthcoming in its communications, which need to be lot better. This is a serious issue. Areas in Offaly, in particular west Offaly, are badly affected by flooding as we speak. We do not want more flooding unnecessarily if the process is not carried out properly.

Regarding the risk of flooding to farmland and possible damage to houses and infrastructure nearby, which will cost us money, why is the emphasis being put on bogs to sequester carbon when grassland can also do that? I refer to our forestry crisis. We are not meeting climate change targets. We should plant 8,000 ha per year, as per the programme for Government commitment, but that is not happening. We should not focus on bogs alone, but also on forestry, if we can get the crisis in the sector sorted out quickly. We also need to focus on grassland.

I am concerned about turbary rights. County Offaly depends heavily on turf. As one presentation stated, 38% of its population depends on it. Has any agreement on that issue been reached with Bord na Móna? What progress has been made? It is important that private turf cutters are protected and that a written agreement is also drawn up to protect their rights.

I fully support what all of the groups here are trying to achieve, as outlined in their submissions. I made a submission on this issue because I am concerned about flooding, farmers' rights being trodden on and people being affected. I was glad that the submission date was extended. We need more engagement from Bord na Móna. The process cannot be rushed.