Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his reply. We on this side of the House believe the Government must immediately bring forward proposals for a long-term solution to compensate turf cutters, which is an issue of particular concern in the midlands and further west. The Peatlands Council is somewhat disappointed that the Minister went ahead and signed this agreement without full consultation with the council. The council had proposed a compromise whereby 80% of the 53 SAC bogs would not be cut. This whole problem stems back to 1997 when the then Minister, Mr. Michael D. Higgins, signed the habitats directive and the derogation was put in place for ten years.

The Minister's reply referred to 53 locations. How close are we to having alternative locations provided for the turf cutters? What, if any, negotiations have taken place with the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association to try to get it back to the Peatlands Council? The association is one of the main representative bodies and should partake in the Peatlands Council. The Minister referred to the delivery of turf as a proposal by the IFA. How many other strands of the Peatlands Council welcome this as a suitable alternative?

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