Dáil debates

Wednesday, 6 November 2019

Early Exit from Peat for Electricity Generation: Statements

 

5:30 pm

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I live among the communities. I am surrounded by them. Members of my family worked in the company in the past. My late father worked for many years for Bord na Móna. Before he passed away he often told me about there being no wet time in Bord na Móna and how difficult and harsh it was. I can remember him and the neighbours coming home drenched. Those people worked hard. Generations worked hard. It was a lifeline for people in our region.

The great Seán Lemass led the innovation to develop our bogs. That was really important for people in our part of the country. We should remember that Bord na Móna built many estates, including one up the road from myself in County Roscommon.

Yet, things change and times change. Change relating to the climate is going to happen. I certainly do not agree with some of the moves relating to climate change, but the reality is that it is happening all over the world. There are two sides to this argument. Many young people in my constituency have written and emailed me about climate change, including neighbours and friends. I do not think we can expect people in the rural areas to carry the can completely for this climate change.

Whatever Department he is in, I have found the Minister to be an honourable Minister and Deputy. However, I wish to bring him back to 6 October when he spoke to RTÉ. He said the future of Bord na Móna workers was a priority for him at the time. He said there would be a development within six months on retraining and other schemes for Bord na Móna workers. We fought hard on this side of the House to get a just transition commissioner and fund. I say to the Bord na Móna workers and families that this side of the House will not be found wanting in getting a solution to this problem. We are not going to leave them out with no support, but it will take hard work. It will not all be done by waffling in this House. Many of us work hard behind the scenes. My colleagues from Roscommon-Galway work particularly hard with me to try to bring the matter forward and get solutions.

There is a feeling that we are being left behind. There is a feeling that things are not moving. I did not like the carbon tax. I did not like voting for the carbon tax but I took a brave decision. We fought on this side of the House to get the fund ring-fenced to help Bord na Móna communities. Many Bord na Móna communities will be hit now. All manner of businesses and shops will be hit. If we do not come up with a real plan and if we are not innovative in addressing the problem we have, thousands of jobs will be lost. The Minister knows himself that Shannonbridge, Lough Ree and other areas are all affected. There is serious concern among the communities about the lack of pace in dealing with this issue. I am not expressing any disrespect for the Minister but this must be taken seriously. We need to start moving quickly and we must see real decisions taken. We were told initially that the just transition would be up to eight or ten years. Then, all on a sudden that changed. Myself and my Oireachtas colleagues took the commitment in good faith. We went back to Bord na Móna workers and said to them that it would develop over a period of eight to ten years. We thought we had the space. What happened? We are now told the show is over. That is unfair and unworkable. We are demanding that a proper plan is put in place so that we can start acting now.

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