Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Cowen knows, the midlands have historically been very important in Ireland's energy production. Bord na Móna was a large part of that, as was the ESB, and many people derived a living, an income and, later, a pension from Bord na Móna and the ESB. I know that is significant. The great efforts the Deputy went to secure just transition funding at the EU and national levels and in the programme for Government to ensure areas in the midlands are compensated and helped to change also have to be acknowledged. Change is possible and is happening. Bord na Móna is still very much in the energy sector. In my constituency, I see the réalt na mara off the coast of Dún Laoghaire, which Bord na Móna is trying to develop for offshore wind. I have visited Mount Lucas and seen the huge wind farm the company has developed there and the public amenities below it.

We have been through a range of different measures related to the land, whether it is rehabilitation through bog rewetting, rewilding or the provision of public amenities and new energy facilities. The Deputy would like to see a task force that strategically addresses what will happen with Bord na Móna's land in the future. He has drawn attention to the fact that, in the past, there was a process by which Bord na Móna acquired land from the public and that this process is now perhaps going into reverse. He stated the public good should benefit from Bord na Móna's legacy of land. If he wishes to make a proposal in that regard and wants to meet me, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, or our officials, I will be happy to facilitate that. Any proposal from Deputy Cowen or the community would be very welcome and I appreciate his interest in the matter. However, I think he will acknowledge that a lot of work has been done at national level to facilitate a just transition from Bord na Móna's history to a bright future for the midlands and for Ireland.

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