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

I can perfectly understand where the Deputy is coming from. When the bogs were first designated, the designation was based on science, not economics or social implications. I am sure that if the designator of the bog had realised the turf cutters would not be able to cut turf on it and would have to travel for miles if the adjacent bog was also designated, he or she would have considered the matter further. I said this to the Commissioner when I met him and was very forceful in stating adequate consultation had not taken place at the time in question and that the people affected had not been sufficiently involved. The result is the problem I am faced with today. The practicalities in closing a bog without providing a real alternative to cut turf within an acceptable distance from the house of the people affected were not taken into consideration.

I also raised the issue of redesignation when I met the Commissioner and it was just ruled out of order. We signed up to the habitats directive 20 years ago. We gave commitments to the European Commission that we would close all the bogs in question. The discussion taking place should have taken place 20 years ago, at which time the Deputy was not in the House to raise the issue. There is no doubt that people took their eye off the ball and did not realise the full implications of the directive for those using the bogs. We are now threatened with injunctions. I am convinced that there will be an injunction, judging from what we have all read following the petitions event last Tuesday. The matter is serious.

My officials have visited bogs around the country. Any time I am driving home from the Oireachtas, I would not mind meeting the people affected by the designation with the Deputy and other colleagues to see at first hand the circumstances on the ground, if my doing so would be of any use to them.

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