Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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We are 12 months down the line and the same problem is fast approaching again on the basis of conversations I had with people in that locality only last weekend. We have not advanced this. A fine report was prepared, which made eight or nine recommendations that we feel would address the issue, resolve the problem in so far as they can and appease the stakeholders we represent but, unfortunately, it has not been discussed on the floor of the House. Responsibility for this straddles different Departments and Ministers have not had an opportunity to respond. I hope the Whips will engage to bring that to bear. If Mr. Smyth is telling the committee that the existing protocol is as good it gets, our responsibility is to seek to amend it to meet the demands of those we represent whose livelihoods have been destroyed by the dominance of ESB and others.