Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

At a national level it is clear that a failure to fully implement EU environmental law in this area leaves the State open to significant fines which could amount to €25,000 a day. The European Commission is being vigilant in its monitoring of the situation. All members of the community will be at a loss if fines are imposed. I hope those involved in illegal turf cutting will reflect again on these consequences. I again encourage them to cease such cutting attempts and avoid further confrontation of the nature we saw last night. The Government maintains an open door for engagement on the basis that we can work together to find an accommodation within the law for turf cutters. I acknowledge and thank the many people who have worked with us in this regard. I thank the Garda Síochána for the work in which it was engaged last night and I am pleased to note the protest is over. I hope we will not see a repetition of similar protests.

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