Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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I thank the Chair. I was in the Dáil. I heard the Chair was keeping a good eye on me. I will not repeat many of the questions that have already been raised.

This is an interesting subject. In rural Ireland many farmers are very protective of the hedgerows and have been over the years. The problem is there are hedgerows in the farm but there are also hedgerows on the side of the road. How do the witnesses feel about the hedgerows and verges that are not cut? I completely understand there are certain times of the year that trimming should not take place. There are situations in rural Ireland and in rural communities whereby in the middle of summer hedgerows grow out onto the middle of the road causing accidents. People with bicycles are hurt. There should be a separation between one and the other. It is a very important issue. It may have been brought up when I was speaking in the Dáil.

The issue of burning was raised earlier. I am totally opposed to out-of-control burning but there is also controlled burning and we should be very supportive of this. The IFA and the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association came together with the Garda to train farmers on controlled burning. We should encourage this in specific areas where it is needed at specific times. Sometimes we cannot burn in season because the season is damp and wet. This puts farmers in a very difficult position.

As previous speakers have said, I hope the witnesses can work with farmers on their plans. The problem farmers have at present is with dictation. This country is turning a lot like this. Farmers are being dictated to. They have more serious worries about further regulations coming before them. Much of what the witnesses have said is great. I have no objection to it with regard to protecting hedgerows and on my farm we do the same. Protection of the hedgerows is very important. In this country we depend on progressive farmers and I hope they will be protected, brought along and not dictated to as such. Grant aid is a great way to encourage farmers. I hope no policy will dictate too hard to farmers because it would put a whole different light on all of this.

I would like the witnesses to comment on road verges where hedgerows are growing. I did not say it at the beginning but I welcome all of the witnesses.