Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Changes have been made with regard to the land types that can be used. As the Deputy knows from his work experience, much of the land that could be planted before cannot be planted now because of different regulations and guidelines. What people can do at all times is plant land that has 30 cm of peat on top. There is this idea of encouraging people to stay away from certain types of soil and go on to what the Deputy would call the good green ground. The €2.7 million that I am spending on this intensive programme, PeatFor, is aimed at studying what type of land types we can plant. I am trying to get us away from the idea that people cannot go near this ground because it has peaty-type soil. It is a big concern for the Deputy and I take that on board. That is why we are spending €2.7 million studying it. I want to beat the scientists with science.