Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There has been some confusion on this question. I believe I was meant to get the priority question, but so be it. It is on the same theme.

The Minister used the term "derogation" and said that the derogation was over, but something cannot be over if it had never started. There was no derogation. The former EU Commission representative, Julian Bruno, said there was none. Who is telling the truth? Was there a derogation or not? As far as we know there was not. The Minister read out the figures for all the compensation paid out. That is fine, but who has received the compensation? Has it been given to active turf cutters?

I am somewhat baffled. I will use an example with which the Minister is familiar. On Moanveanlagh bog in Kerry more people cut turf last year than in the previous year.

The Minister appears to have sanctioned compensation for people. Who is getting it? Is it turf cutters or lapsed turf cutters? I am not complaining about lapsed turf cutters receiving the compensation to which they are entitled. It is their land. It is a bad deal, but it is a personal decision for them. I want to know, however, who is taking up the compensation. My information on the success of the scheme is that no bog has yet been sorted out notwithstanding that we are 15 years along. This is not going as well as the propaganda suggests.

Of the 29 bogs which were cut two years ago, 26 were cut last year. A further three would have been cut were it not for the poor weather conditions. The only way the scheme will work is if people are listened to and trust is established. We will be vindicating our rights again this year. We have no choice.

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