Ms Sadhbh O'Neill:

On the question about the science I am a little bit alarmed to hear something quoted from a document without context. It is really important that we accept the science. The basic scientific methodology underpinning ecology and peatlands is well established internationally and here in Ireland. There are many documents at the end of the land use review referencing Irish studies. It is not correct to say that we do not know what is happening in Irish peatlands. What we can say is that until we start rewetting we cannot be sure of what the data will be. It is a circular argument to say that we do not have enough data to start because we cannot find out until we start. I am just a little bit concerned about that use of cherry picking quotations from other documents that may not be relevant to the Irish context and which give the impression that there is some kind of doubt or that there is an either-or science argument. There is not. It is completely clear in the synthesis review. It has been peer reviewed and references many other peer-reviewed scientific articles. I would urge the committee to bring in the authors of the report and other experts, as the committee sees fit, who can answer the scientific questions. It is still not clear to me that everybody in the room accepts the science as it is laid out in the report and that is somewhat concerning. I am sure the committee is not thinking along those lines.