Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Briefly, I call for a compromise on this issue. I urge all parties to continue to sit around the table in an effort to find a satisfactory solution to this delicate and sensitive issue. In my constituency and in particular in County Laois, it is not about compensation but is about relocation and there are consequential difficulties in that regard. I congratulate Mr. Conor Skehan for his great efforts, as well as the Minister, Deputy Deenihan. However, I cannot say the same about the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which has acted in a high-handed and insensitive manner and to my mind, a public body that does so must be condemned. I believe it has a duty to act in good faith and to be sensitive to the needs of the local turf cutters. I believe there are probable grounds for a successful legal challenge, particularly with regard to the unfairness of the selection of the SACs in the first instance, as well as in respect of breaking agreements between the State and turf cutters over the years.

I urge mediation and conciliation. The House should not divide and I urge my namesake, Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, to withdraw the motion in the interest of continued roundtable discussions in order that a reasonable and common sense approach can be found to what is a highly difficult and sensitive issue.

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