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

My officials have been working with the people on Ballynafagh and Mouds bogs and progress is being made. As regards referring back to Brussels, it would be futile unless there was agreement between the TCCA and everybody concerned. I am glad that a meeting took place recently between the TCCA and my officials. This matter can be resolved. It is difficult, as everybody knows, but we have made considerable progress. Where there is a genuine will and people are sincere that they wish to settle this matter which has been ongoing for too long, we can reach a solution. Good examples of how a solution has been achieved are working on the ground in the instances I mentioned. I hope that following the consultation we are undertaking and the responses we have received and with the TCCA and other interested groups, including the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, we can put together a package and refer back to Brussels under Article 6.4 of the habitats directive and make the case that there should be some accommodation for turf cutters in a very small number of cases where no relocation is possible. I have committed to doing this.

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