Mr. Barry Delany:

Again, we point to the requirement for the domestic production of peat.

If we look in particular at the area Deputy Carthy is most concerned about, mushrooms, they suggest that they need approximately ten ha to 15 ha per year. Mr. Lucas has outlined the possibilities that are there to get through that process. We would hope that the extractors or the parties are trying to expedite that.

The amenities side is a little bit more difficult but, again, they are looking for approximately 126,000 cu. m. That totals approximately 262 ha. Again, the figures there are not enormous. The trade would say to us that accounts for 0.12% of total Irish peatlands.

As we pointed out, it is back to a regulatory issue, in particular on the mushroom side. The Bord na Móna piece and the exit of the party from supply is slightly different and that has been more difficult. We have, however, been working very closely with the Horticulture Industry Forum, the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, the Kildare Growers Group and the Commercial Mushroom Producers organisation. In addition to that, we have the horticulture grant aid funding and the producer organisation funding to try to help parties to maybe adjust some of their systems to accommodate some of the new material they are trying to work through. Again, I am afraid there are no easy solutions.