Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I raise the recent announcement by Bord na Móna that it is to accelerate the reduction of peat harvesting. This decision will wipe out a traditional industry with all its financial reward, rich history and tradition. The founders of Bord na Móna were people with outstanding vision and ambition who took creative, bold and courageous decisions. They dedicated themselves to achieving policy objectives by using natural resources to create employment, build communities and financially sustain rural areas. Harvesting the bog to save turf or manufacture briquettes has come to a shuddering halt. This is due to environmental consequences and the necessity to comply with European regulations regarding the use of fossil fuels.

As a representative of County Tipperary, I have seen at first-hand the devastation caused by the closure of the Littleton briquette factory, which resulted in the loss of 125 jobs and a loss to hundreds of other service providers. The workforce was made up of general workers, electrical and mechanical engineers, fitters, administrators and management. The closure of the Littleton plant has impacted on Littleton, Killenaule, Ballingarry, Templetuohy, Thurles and all of the surrounding areas. It was sudden and swift and was greeted with widespread dismay. The decision by Bord na Móna was noted for its lack of advance notice and consideration for the employees and their dependent families. The redundancy package on offer was meagre and did not reflect the years of dedicated, committed and loyal service by the workers. We had to fight long and hard to secure an enhanced package. After a protracted struggle, we got an agreement on terms which I presume will now become the blueprint for redundancy negotiations on behalf of the workers affected by the midland closures.

What is evident and very clear is the absence of a strategy by Bord na Móna to provide alternative opportunities. There is no effort to maintain rural infrastructure and support the communities that are so devastated by the resulting job losses. Bord na Móna's announcement of the closure is long on aspiration and very short on detail. The bog is a unique natural resource.

The question and challenge now is how to utilise and maximise the potential for the future. Like the original inspirational leaders and founders of Bord na Móna, we must revisit the drawing board. We must be imaginative and creative to harness the bog for alternative uses. We have to create business opportunities. The question arises as to what the future will hold. If the 500 alternative jobs which Bord na Móna states it can deliver are ever to materialise, they need the full resources and support of the State. Within the national brain trust there is an abundance of relevant experience that could be made available through IDA Ireland, Teagasc, Bord Bia and Bord Fáilte. The peatlands are national assets and the best intelligence should be deployed as a matter of urgency to address their development in a concentrated and joined-up manner. Whatever the solution is, the future requires heavy investment. I ask that the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF, which has billions of euro at its disposal be mandated to assist Bord na Móna in developing a path to the future.

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