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

I thank Deputy Flanagan for his welcome contribution and for the advice he has given me. I totally agree with him that the compensation that has been made available will have to go to those people who are going to be seriously inconvenienced by having to relocate. I am the first to accept that. I totally agree with that.

I am sure Deputy Flanagan is aware that I have been left with no option. When I was given the responsibility for this matter I contacted the European Commission to see whether we could renegotiate or if there was any wriggle room. I was told there was not. I got advice from the Attorney General's office. I was told there was no place to go. As Deputy Flanagan is aware, we had given the commitment 20 years ago. The European Commission wants us to enforce the law.

There was a reference to the matter in a newspaper article today. Commissioner Potocnik was clear at the Petitions Committee last Tuesday - we can all read the transcript of it - that the Commission will move against this country and issue an injunction against us. This could be the first time ever for the European Court to do it, if we do not implement the law. It is very serious.

All I can do for people at this time is to ensure they are compensated properly and that we provide relocation options so they can continue to cut turf. If either of those two solutions do not suit, we will deliver 10 tonne of turf to their house. I assure Deputy Flanagan that I will do everything possible to help those people, including cousins of mine who are cutting turf on the one bog in Kerry that was designated.

Deputy Flanagan was quoted in a newspaper as saying that 75% of people who cut turf on bogs with which he is familiar are willing to relocate and that it is only in a small number of cases that problems arise. I would like to engage with the Deputy as much as possible to try to resolve the matter in whatever way we can. I mean that sincerely.

As Deputy Flanagan is aware, I have met with turfcutters and contractors and I am available to meet them anytime. I went to Galway and Roscommon by helicopter last March. I am available to help out in every way possible but, unfortunately, as a country we are left with no room for movement. Everyone realises that at this stage. We could be severely embarrassed and punished as well if we do not comply with EU legislation that we have transposed into Irish law in this House.

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