Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

There is no difference in the objective of what the two motions before the House set out to achieve. Much of the language in the Government's counter motion is taken directly from the Technical Group's motion as proposed by Deputy Luke Flanagan. The key difference is that the Government amendment builds on the original motion to include reference to the Quirke report, which was not available when the original motion was submitted on Friday. The Government amendment goes further than the motion proposed by Deputy Flanagan by commending the Government's acceptance of Mr. Justice Quirke's central recommendation that all bogs should be considered in a single national plan. In the context of such a plan it may be possible to bring limited flexibility for the most difficult bogs where there are no apparent alternative solutions.

While we cannot second-guess the outcome of this process I know my area in south Galway is one of those where obtaining suitable relocation bog is proving very difficult. This plan offers a way forward and a way to examine the case of this and similar areas in real detail. Such a plan would build on the proposals put forward by the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, TCCA, relating to all the affected raised bogs. The Government's counter motion, using the language of the original motion, explicitly acknowledges the TCCA's proposals. The Government acknowledges the commitment and leadership of Michael Fitzmaurice, and his colleagues in the TCCA, in developing proposals to address the very difficult issues we face.

The Government's motion also reflects the general commitment to work together with all parties to develop a shared understanding and future of the special area of conservation bogs as well as the specific commitment to work with each affected local community. It further acknowledges the enhanced compensation package announced by the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, last night.

Thanks to the work of Mr. Justice Quirke, the Government can now begin to give concrete commitments to a shared way forward over and above those contained in the original motion. We have endured a saga of options taken and not taken, procrastination, wishful thinking and denial which has led to a serious breakdown in communication and trust between many turf cutters and the State. Turning this relationship around will not be easy but there is hope. The Peatlands Council chaired by Conor Skehan has started the difficult process of building clearer communications between turf cutting interests, relevant State parties and NGOs. The peatlands forum under Mr. Justice John Quirke has given the communities on all 53 sites the opportunity to air their grievances and concerns, present their proposals and engage with the State to start the process of finding solutions and rebuilding valuable trust.

The pioneering spirit of turf cutting communities in Clara and Mount Bellew, working with Bord na Móna and the NPWS, have shown trust can be rebuilt and relocation can be successfully delivered. The honest and constructive engagement of the Irish Farmers Association through Padraic Divilly has contributed significantly to finding acceptable solutions. The Government has now provided clarity on the enhanced compensation and has demonstrated its resolve to move ahead in delivering relocation options. The European Commission has also indicated its willingness to work with all parties to find a long-term resolution to this issue in the parameters of EU law. The Taoiseach indicated to me this evening that he will organise a delegation to travel to Brussels to engage with the Commission at the very highest level to work towards securing this resolution.

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