John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I will be brief in my contribution on this emotive issue which has been badly handled, or not handled at all, for years. Turf cutters and the people of rural Ireland who have taken care of the environment for centuries have been criminalised owing to mismanagement of this issue in recent years. Trust and respect went out the window and as a result of the crossfire, which has been ongoing in recent years in particular, no solution could be found. There now appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel. I hope a solution can be found which is acceptable to the turf cutters, rural dwellers, the Minister and Europe.

I compliment the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, on the work he has done in the past year which illustrates that the only way to resolve a matter is to tackle it head on. The Minister engaged with the people through the establishment of the Peatlands Council under the chairmanship of Mr. Conor Skehan and the forum under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Quirke. All of us on this side of the House worked in the background with the Minister on this issue. I compliment two Members in particular - Deputy Frank Feighan and Deputy Paul Connaughton - who, when other people were jumping up and down, as it were, about this issue, were working hard behind the scenes to find a solution.

I welcome that a management plan is to be put in place for the cutting of turf on blanket bogs, of which there are many in my constituency, and that it will continue into the future. In putting this plan in place, we are being proactive rather than reactive. An advertisement in a newspaper to the effect that cutting of turf on blanket bogs was to be restricted, which was a mistake, resulted in a near meltdown of phones in my constituency office. I commend the Minister on ensuring this situation was remedied quickly. I have no doubt that through engagement with communities, we will not end up in the type of mess we have been in recent years and which is now being addressed.

What we need in this debate is not a victory for anyone but a solution to the problem. I suggest that the Minister withdraw his amendment and that Deputy Flanagan withdraw his motion in order that the progress made can be brought across the line, thus ensuring turf cutters and rural dwellers can live in harmony using the resources for the betterment of our children.

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