Mr. Vincent Roddy:

I thank the Senator for his comments. I will make a couple of general points. The climate crisis is obviously a massive problem that has to be addressed. I reiterate, my issue is that we must make sure the science is right for Ireland. I welcome Mr. Kelly's clarity on rewetting and that it does not necessarily have to go to the surface. If farming activity can still happen, there may be a window here. Anything that does happen needs to be done on a voluntary basis and has to be encouraged. It is the carrot and not the stick. That is the point we need to keep in mind. When we talk about climate change and the biodiversity crisis, it is a lifestyle choice for most people. I know sectors are impacted but for a lot of people it is a lifestyle choice. For farmers, this is our livelihoods. I appreciate that people in here get that but that cannot be forgotten. Farmers have worked hard to drain the lands mentioned by Senator Dooley and myself. They worked hard to do that, as their parents and grandparents did. It is in their DNA. To turn back the clock and say we are going to block up the drains and let that go wild is against everything they understand.