Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman for letting me in. While I am not a member of the committee, I would like to ask a quick question. The witnesses do not have to answer it today. I would appreciate if they could send me an answer in the coming week or whatever. In my area of Delvin we have the Lisclogher bog which covers Ballivor, Delvin, Raharney and surrounding areas. Many people living there have relied solely on turf cutting for many years. There are 300 families that depend on that turf cutting every year. Will the contractor have permission to cut turf on Lisclogher bog in Delvin this year? Can the representatives of Bord na Móna confirm that if this turf cutting is to be phased out, that will be done over a lengthy time span rather than just pulling the rug out from under these families straight away? It is still the cheapest way for many families and individuals to heat their homes. Will the contractor be allowed to cut turf on Lisclogher bog this year? For many years, the contractor has cut turf on that bog and then sold it to these 300 families. I thank the Chairman for letting me in.