Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The commitments in the programme for Government demonstrate that the Government will be active in protecting our natural heritage and responding to the biodiversity emergency and drivers of loss. Investing in the restoration of ecosystems will have multiple additional benefits, including water regulation and purification and carbon sequestration. Sustainable land use management must be a key component of our work. The NPWS and the Department will continue to lead on this work.

I am aware of the great concern locally and nationally with regard to the bog slide. The NPWS and the Department will work with the other bodies to which I referred and continue to investigate and deal with the incident. The matter falls within the remit of my Department, but I am happy to work with Deputies Harkin and Fitzmaurice to establish a working group if that proves necessary. I am more than happy to visit the site and will keep the issue high on the Government agenda in order to seek a resolution. I will set up a working group if it is needed.

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