Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to address some points raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett. This is not a city-against-country scenario. Last year, however, some farmers, particularly in Galway and Mayo, were accused of starting fires deliberately. The individuals in question had nothing to do with those fires. There are records available which prove that they, and others who were questioned, had nothing to do with the fire. The Irish Wildlife Trust submitted a formal complaint about the fires to the European Commission, as a result of which the farmers were left without money in one of the worst winters in recent years. Tourists and others expect to be able to hike up mountains in those areas, which is great and to be welcomed, but there should be a consideration of the farmers who were left penniless last winter as a result of the report that was submitted.

We have to work with people and not report them.

We have to look at the green low carbon agri-environment scheme. Deputy Smith spoke about the bees. In that regard, there is an obligation on farmers in GLAS to put out sand. I do contracting. I bale for people and they have their sand out in the field, which has actually improved the number of bees. The problem is that the badgers are coming out, eating the honey and killing some of the bees. I have seen it. Farmers will tell the Deputy what is going on but they are doing that. They are putting up bat boxes. In terms of the traditional hay meadow, they are cutting fields from the middle out to save wildlife. All that is helping the biodiversity. It is very important that we acknowledge the amount of work being done by farmers in all areas.

In terms of burning, everyone should be clear that we are not asking to burn at this time of year. Everyone is going on about the current fires but let us not talk about farmers doing that. It is as a result of someone's carelessness. No one condones fires or anyone doing anything like that. We are talking about Connemara or mountain areas in February. One would not start a fire because it would not take. It is controlled burning. It cannot be done willy-nilly. As I said, the vegetation that grows back is very important. All these things need to be understood in terms of what we are trying to achieve.

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