Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious of Dr. O' Mara's time so I will ask a couple of questions before he leaves. What Mr. Ó Brolcháin has said is a very positive view and points a way forward that gets us out of some of the real difficulties we have had in this conversation around rewetting. He is saying, and I think Teagasc representatives are also saying, that it does not mean we are flooding land and it cannot be used for food production. That is an important point to state clearly, which it has been. The opportunities for carbon farming and that it might become an income stream is very interesting. If we can design things in such a way that it makes sense for farmers to get involved, that will be very positive. We should not simplify it because it is not a simple matter, but the point about one of the potential solutions to the challenge around and shortage of moss peat because of the ending of peat harvesting on bogs is very interesting. I will give an opportunity for those points to be reinforced because they are very important.

The second question I have is more for Mr. Ó Brolcháin than for Teagasc representatives, but if they would like to come in on it I would like to hear their views. He mentioned the Arterial Drainage Act in his opening statement, and it is something that has been discussed by this committee a number of times. We are aware of it and of calls to review it, and we will publish a report shortly that will suggest a way forward, but I would like to hear more on the Arterial Drainage Act, and it would be remiss not to have a serious discussion about it.