Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)

Serious issues were raised by the stand-off in Clonmoylan last night which the Minister needs to address. Fully assembled State forces amassed against ordinary decent citizens. This represents a major new departure in State policy and sets a dangerous precedent. We cannot ignore the fact that this took place against a backdrop of the closure of many rural Garda stations, of women in some areas being told their safety cannot be guaranteed at night because of lack of Garda resources, and so on. In this climate, there assembled last night between 40 and 50 gardaí, more than 20 vehicles belonging to the Garda and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Garda emergency response unit. Dozens of the unit's members assembled on a rural country lane, to deal with what threat to the State?

The incident that provoked this response from the State was an attempt by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to confiscate the private property, a hopper and excavator, of Mr. Michael Darcy. Gardaí attempted to load the property onto a low loader and were met by a peaceful protest by residents of the area.

How did this situation develop as it did? We are talking about private property on privately owned land. It was alleged that the equipment had been used to cut turf on a special area of conservation, SAC. On what basis was the decision to confiscate the machinery made? I would like the Minister to deal with the fact that the property, which cost approximately €70,000, was later burnt out. Who will compensate the owner for that? The owner is in hospital and will remain there for some time. Residents came from as far afield as Castlebar, Kerry, Sligo and Laois to offer solidarity with the peaceful protest.

The incident took place against a backdrop of the House, including the Minister, accepting a Private Members' motion recommending a process that would resolve the issues raised by the turf-cutters and achieve the goal, which we all share, of protecting raised bogs. Why is the Government not pursuing that resolution? Why is it not being worked on? How much effort is being put into securing it? It would cost the State far less money to do that than to assemble the forces that were deployed last night against ordinary citizens.

I would like the Minister to deal with the fact that the report, which the House endorsed, would have allowed a greater proportion of raised bog to be protected but would also have given turf-cutters the right to access their traditional turf cutting. Why is that not being pursued? It is the solution to the crisis.

Why was the armed response unit deployed in this way? It was an attempt to intimidate citizens and to force them to yield to State power. It will not work. It is an incredibly dangerous tactic. Weaponry was assembled against citizens on country laneways last night. Anything could have gone wrong. I am sure most people believe the armed response unit should be used only to deal with a national emergency, such as a kidnapping. It certainly should not be used against ordinary people.

I would like the Minister to deal with these points. How does he think the situation will end? The only resolution, from the point of view of justice and economic and environmental sustainability, is to deal with the issue on the basis of dialogue and discussion and to accept the compromise put forward by the turf-cutters and contractors and endorsed by the House a few months ago.

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