Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

I welcome the Minister's comments and the motion that has been tabled today. I have not seen Mr. Justice Quirke's report, but I acknowledge, and I think the Minister acknowledges, that for the first time ever the Government of the day has publicly admitted that there was a lack of proper consultation, communication and trust between the State and turf cutters throughout the country. That in itself is a significant step forward.

Will the Minister clarify that we are talking about here is approximately 5% of designated bogs and that for the other 95%, there is absolutely no dispute relating to them? We are talking about a very small percentage of bogs.

Is the Minister aware that for the majority of turf cutters, this is not an issue of compensation but of a sensible resolution being provided to turf cutters to facilitate them to continue to cut turf on their existing bogs or adjoining non-designated bogs? In light of that, could the Minister clarify whether the Government is considering allowing the co-existence of domestic turf cutting on designated bogs as a mitigating measure in a limited number of cases? Has the Government considered the issue of compensatory habitat? At the end of this process, more than 100% of designated bog will be closed off to turf cutting for good.

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