Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that response but I want to take up one point with him straight away. The Minister has not answered my question on whether he will support Bord na Móna in its appeal process to try to recommence peat harvesting in order to safeguard many jobs for as long as possible. We know that bog rehabilitation is spoken about but that will only provide handfuls of jobs in comparison to what we have now. I want to remind the Minister that this is an important employment source for many workers in the midlands, including in Offaly. The reality for workers is completely different from what is written on paper. I have had workers in my offices, many of them with young children and mortgages. Many environmental groups wave the green banner and are aspirational but have no consideration for the lives of others, for the communities or for the small businesses that will be affected by the policies they are advocating for. These people are still struggling to get on their feet and have not fully recovered from the recession. Instead of aspirations, we need common sense, pragmatism and assurances that job creation and retention will be top priorities for this Government in the midlands because we do not want to see our region further decimated. It still has not recovered, as I have said.

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