Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Rural Independent Group is seeking an urgent debate on the proposed rewetting of boglands and other lands. This is a major issue. Deputy Nolan brought in members of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ICMSA, who testified - many people listened to what they had to say - to the fear those in the farming community have of their lands being flooded. As we know, water will find its own level. Everybody should know that at this stage. This proposal is half-baked and half-cooked. We are going to drive farmers off the land.

Every day I consider this matter, I can see that we are heading closer to a food shortage in this country. I do not know what it driving it, but I am of the view that this is a deliberate policy. It is a folly, and part of a green agenda. People spent all their lives draining lands and now there are those who want to flood them again. Those who drained their lands got grants in some cases. They were poor enough grants, but they got assistance to drain the land and they were proud of it. We see now that they are going to be hunted off this land. It is a case of "To hell or to Connaught". This is not acceptable. We in the Rural Independent Group are calling for an urgent national debate on this issue.

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