Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They will still own their own bog. If they do not wish to take that option, many have offered to join in relocation. Many of those who have been relocated are very happy. They have been relocated to another bog which is not a special area of conservation or SAC. They will also receive 15 tonnes of turf, delivered to their door every year. One man has told me that it is far too much. This situation was introduced in 1997.

Moreover, the previous Government, of which Deputy Mattie McGrath was a supporter, stated there was a derogation. However, three months into the lifetime of the current Government, I went to Brussels to meet the Commissioner, Mr. Potočnik. I had travelled there to make the case that an additional six months were required to try to work with the turf cutters on this issue but when I told him a derogation had been in place for the past ten years, Mr. Potočnik, who was with his officials, asked what derogation. The Government of which Deputy Mattie McGrath was a supporter, simply had told a complete untruth. There was no derogation and indeed-----

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