Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Let Deputy Connaughton not worry about that. I will stand up. It is no problem.

As Deputy Connaughton knows, the ten year derogation in respect of those bogs is up this year. They are raised bogs under the habitats directive. I do not believe any responsible Member of the Government - or Deputy Connaughton, if he were one such - would suggest that we should expose the taxpayer to obvious fines or further penalties. What we have in mind is to continue discussions with people who have turbary rights on those bogs-----

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