Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Thanks for the reply but the facts are we do not have next winter or next autumn. This is now. Roscommon County Council was brought to court on emergency legislation the council has, a totally different thing from the habitats directive under emergency law. Under emergency law, a Government has a right if it sees an emergency, and this is an emergency. When the generators needed to go in when there was a danger of the country running out of power, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, was able to come in to the House and bring emergency legislation through that was not opposed in this place. That gift is there again for the three main leaders. This is not political. This is about good people in a rural area.

I have spoken to several people this morning in the National Parks and Wildlife Service who know the habitats directive better than anyone. I have spoken to legal people. There is an opportunity in the Government's gift whereby, under the habitats directive, if there is an emergency, which there is, a Government can bring in an emergency order to basically undo that situation until a permanent solution is found. Have a look at the emergency powers about generators. They are for three years. Then, we hope, there will be a long-term solution.

I am asking and begging the Tánaiste and Government, because this is about people. Fair play to Deputies Naughten and Kerrane for standing beside me because it is generally not done in here. I ask the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach, Deputy Harris, and the Minister, Deputy Ryan, to please do it next Tuesday. I will tell the Tánaiste what will happen. I will give it straight to him. The people cannot wait. They have been quiet for too long. They will take matters into their own hands with civil disobedience. They have worked tirelessly over a few years but this has become critical at this stage.

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