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

There is a sizeable sum of money - €5 million - available. The Government considers it important that we resolve this, and people will have to be compensated. I have been making this point quite clearly. That is why I will be announcing an enhanced package this evening. Expecting people to move from areas in which they have cut for generations to alternative bogs is a lot to ask, and they must be properly compensated.

In the Deputy's own constituency, because of the leadership of a former Deputy of this House, Paul Connaughton, a positive resolution was obtained, and work has already started, with machinery on the bog and drainage being carried out. The examples of Clara and Mountbellew show that this can work when people work together.

See this speech in context