Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputies Higgins and Carroll MacNeill.

I acknowledge the progress that has been made by this Government in restoring our peatlands. While I refer to this Government, one of the toughest times in my political career was when we took office in 2011 and there were huge issues regarding turf cutting. At the time, I said at a public meeting in Athlone that we would set up a peatlands council, and we did. I thank Conor Skehan and Seamus Boland for chairing that council. One of the most embarrassing times was when we went to Brussels with Conor Skehan, who was head of the Peatlands Council, former Deputy Paul Connaughton, Deputy Heydon and Councillor Jimmy McLearn. We met Mr. Janez Potočnik, who was the Commissioner at the time, and said this was an issue that needed to be dealt with and that we needed another six months. There had been a derogation for ten years. We were fully sure there was a derogation. The next thing, the Commissioner and his officials asked: "What derogation?"

We were stunned. We said there had been a derogation for ten years. There was no derogation. The Fianna Fáil Government at the time, rather than dealing with the serious issue facing turf cutters, said there was a derogation. The then Minister, Deputy Eamon Ó Cuív, came into the House and said they thought there was a derogation, but we understood there was not one. At the time, solicitors' letters were being sent and we had to deal with an issue which should have been dealt with nine years beforehand. It caused significant concern in my constituency and thankfully it has been dealt with. I am very happy that up to €30 million has been paid out over the past nine years and over 3,000 people are getting €1,500 per year on a tax free index-linked basis for not cutting turf in special areas of conservation. This is good news. I would like to tell those who are shouting on behalf of active turf cutters in special areas of conservation that an awful lot has been done.

We have tried, but have been unable, to deal with commercial contractors. I went to Clara bog with Seamus Boland, where people were relocated. This is good news. I do not want to be in a situation where we blame Europe for everything but are in a position to deal with an issue ourselves. In my old constituency of Roscommon-South Leitrim over 1,000 people are on their ninth year of getting money for not cutting turf, something we need to applaud the last Government for. It also worked with turf cutters. The situation should never have been allowed to get out of control.

I welcome that natural habitats will be an important element in dealing with climate change. We have done a lot but we need dialogue with all of the various stakeholders in order to get the best possible deal. I again welcome the fact that €30 million has been allocated over the past nine years to active turf cutters for not cutting turf.

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