Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 2 March 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Rewetting of Peatland and its Impact on Farmers: Discussion

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

There is significant concern among farmers in terms of risk. It is all well and good to say there will be no risk but it cannot be said that that will be the case indefinitely. We know that the River Shannon, for instance, has caused flooding issues in west Offaly as a result of the silt which built up in the river. Bord na Móna was in charge of that. I am looking at maintenance and management. I believe a clear agreement needs to be drawn up into the long term, as Deputy Fitzmaurice suggested. I support his proposal. There is also the issue of what happens if another company takes over from Bord na Móna. There needs to be a legal agreement to cater for that eventuality and to provide cover for farmers in order to get confidence and co-operation. That is what I am hearing on the ground.

On the issue of rehabilitation projects, the witnesses stated the projects will continue for a few years. How many years will the rehabilitation of bogs last? Where will the workers go then? Will they be left high and dry? The Derrinlough workers were told that Bord na Móna has said their jobs will be safe until 2024. The rehabilitation will be over by the time those workers are let go if Bord na Móna stays true to its word to keep the workers in place until 2024. What will the workers do then? The issue of the workers on the rehabilitation project is linked in directly to the issue of rehabilitation.

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