Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The landowners are important and they count. That is why both I and the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, travelled there and met the farmers directly. We made a commitment to them that we were going to work to put a package together. I had hoped to have it concluded at this stage but we have the outline of the package very clear. I and my officials are engaged with the Minister and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at the moment on getting approval for it. We hope to get approval and get it soon. I hope to have this concluded by the end of the year.

I cannot give a clear guarantee as to when that will be because it is subject to agreement between my Department and that of Public Expenditure and Reform but we are fully committed to following through on the commitment we gave to the farmers concerned to bring this to a definitive conclusion. We know the very clear outline of what the package we are putting together is. I hope to get agreement between my Department and that of Public Expenditure and Reform on that soon. We want a situation that is going to bring a permanent outcome and permanent peace of mind to the farmers concerned. There is no need for farmers to march or protest on this because we are committed to following through on the commitment we have given. It is taking a bit longer than we had hoped but we will bring it to a final conclusion and one that brings peace of mind to the farmers concerned.

What happened to this community has been quite a traumatic event. It has affected the long-term capacity of all those landowners to use this land for agricultural purposes in future. As I said, the cost of moving in and clearing the land would be €20 million, which is simply unfeasible. It would be biologically dangerous as well given the potential impact on watercourses and the environment, so it is important we bring in a package that recognises the long-term impact on farming communities and on the local communities. We are expediting this and I hope to have it resolved shortly.

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