Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Some of the issues I was going to address have been dealt with, so this is helpful. I will come at this topic in another way. Starting with Dr. Byrne, regarding forests on peatlands, I think it was Dr. Moran who said we are not sure whether taking them off those lands would do more harm than good.

Regarding the approach to forests on peatlands, what are the guiding principles that should inform us in how we treat them in the time ahead? Should we clear them or maintain them, or what approach should be taken there? One of the issues that came up last week was around the appropriateness of putting renewables, whether onshore wind or solar, on our peatlands. Does any of the witnesses have a perspective on that? We heard that it depends on the level of deterioration of the peatlands when it comes to wind and that there was never a case for solar. I ask the witnesses to reflect on that. I have a question for Dr. Moran. If he could identify three or five initial immediate asks of the Government, what would they be? Professor Joosten touched on the international examples. Does he have any others around approaches or best practice? I accept that this is an emerging area. He pointed to Indonesia. Is there anywhere else?