Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

What we are missing are specific answers to the immediate crises that is being faced. The working paper published by the Department in conjunction with the others that I referenced places a significant emphasis on the role of Bord na Móna but there is a lack of clarity on how Bord na Móna will assist. Can the Minister of State confirm that domestic peat producers will be offered first refusal on any overhanging Bord na Móna stocks? Can she confirm whether she has met with the company to discuss the outworkings of the working paper to ensure the company will resolve this? When will she have the figures related to the volume of horticultural peat that is available? In short, we need to know what the engagements are and what is the role of Bord na Móna, which is largely responsible for this crisis in the first place by exporting significant quantities of peat for several years as a State-owned company? It was just as unacceptable as the importation of peat that we now see. How has that engagement been working out?

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