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

I agree with Deputy Naughten that if there had been political will in 2002 to 2004, the matter would be resolved by now. As with so many other European issues, the matter was landed on the current Government's table. In this case, I was given the responsibility for resolving it. As the Deputy knows, I have worked very openly with people on this and made a great deal of progress. There is more progress to put into effect. Certainly, we are moving in the right direction and people are willing to co-operate as evidenced by the numbers who have accepted compensation.

We have an opportunity in response to the number of people who have made submissions to put a package together in full consultation with the cutters and contractors and to revert to Brussels with a realistic proposal which has a chance of succeeding.

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