Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Because they broke the law. I would like to acknowledge the large number of people - the vast majority of turf cutters - who have taken the compensation and who have complied with the law. I point out that the number of infringements this year is about half what it was last year. People are co-operating and they are complying with the law. I thank them on behalf of the people of Ireland because, otherwise, we would definitely have been hit with a fine of about €9 million plus €25,000 a day, with the accompanying reputational damage for this country.

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