Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is it. I always listen to the Chairman. Believe it or not, even though it is probably clashing with "Eastenders", there are a few boffins who listen to these committees. For people who are not from rural Ireland, it is very important to give some context.

The IFA stated an increase to more than 315,000 ha of peatland would require approximately 157,000 ha to be rewetted by 2050. That is the equivalent of two and a half times the amount of land we are farming in County Longford at the minute. It is extraordinary and we need to put it into context to let the non-farming public realise what is entailed. That is effectively rewetting County Longford. I know many of the wags on Twitter will say that might not be any harm but the people of Longford are very attached to their bogs and waterways. It is easy for someone at European level to think these things and that they are great ideas. There has to be unity among the rural Deputies - I agree with Deputy Nolan in this regard - whether they are in party, in government or Independent. I take my lead on agricultural matters from my colleague, Senator Paul Daly, and from the Chairman, Deputy Cahill. Let there be unanimity in the House. I come back to the point that there is not a view in Government that this can be achieved voluntarily. We will do everything to ensure that is the message that goes back Europe.