Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)

Earlier in the week, I was in Gorthaganny in west Roscommon to see the impact of a recent wildfire, the worst we had ever seen in our county. Having seen the damage first hand, I felt obliged to raise it with the Taoiseach. Over a thousand acres of bogland and forestry have been destroyed. I have written to the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, and the Minister, Deputy Heydon, to seek engagement with and support for the landowners affected. I have also reached out to the European Commission because Carrowbehy bog is a special area of conservation, SAC. The area has been looked after locally, especially by Gorthaganny Community Development, and the biodiversity there has thrived. It is unacceptable that we would leave landowners and farmers high and dry following a fire or a storm, events that are totally out of their control. Will the Taoiseach seek engagement from the Minister and Minister of State? The damage done is incredible and difficult to put into words. I ask the Government to step in and do what it can to support the community.

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