Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

The case of Clara is an example of a very good solution. Bord na Móna owned a bog nearby. There is a bog interpretation centre in Clara village. People can visit that. Clara Bog itself is being preserved. An alternative has been offered to people. That allows them to engage in turf cutting in a well organised fashion. Clara is a very good example of how people can be accommodated. Rangers from the National Parks and Wildlife Service are working with people throughout the country to try to find alternative sites. People like Mr. Mike Fitzmaurice are working with departmental officials and people like Mr. Conor Skehan of the Peatlands Council to try to find alternatives. A serious effort is being made to accommodate people by finding alternative locations for turf cutting. This difficulty is shared by the Department, the recently established Peatlands Council and the Irish Turf Cutters and Contractors Association. This problem is a challenge for all of us. I hope we can find a solution by working together. It is possible for us to show Europe that we care and that we are able to protect this country's environment.

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