Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I asked whether there had been any consultation with Europe. Let us face it; with regard to the Departments in this country, forestry - which is a total fiasco - roads, bogs, bridges, ports and anything else you want to mention are in bother due to this European legislation. Legislation was drafted before. Has the Department liaised with Europe? Let us look at Germany and many other European countries which are supposed to have the same legislation. They are supposed to have the same rules in respect of the 10 ha area and the 30 ha area and the same screening-out process if you are to go by the legislation. How are they able to resolve their issues while our Departments are not able to resolve ours? This is my second time asking the question. Has the Department liaised with Europe with regard to what we call a just transition? Has any Minister or anyone from the Department gone over to Europe about a just transition in horticulture or any other area? Has anyone liaised like we did years ago? We were over with those in Europe, not that I have great suss for them or anything. We were over to DG XI on numerous occasions. Deputy Carthy would be well familiar with it. The Department could then draw up legislation, which would basically have been blessed by Europe, that would bring about a just transition. Have any of the Departments done that?