Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I join Senators in expressing my shock at the outcome of the Mr. A case, which places young people at risk. We need leadership and unity to ensure that this loophole is plugged, which is what we intend to do. I call on the House to ensure that we have unity and leadership.

I claimed a few months ago that a certain cabal within the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government was out of control. The Department has, in effect, scuppered a €150 million project adjacent to Lough Key Forest Park in north Roscommon. It is wrong that the Department's heritage section is imposing its views on the wishes of the people. As the chairperson of the forest park's action group, I believe there has to be development and that the environment has to be protected. The cabal I have mentioned is calling the shots and ensuring that reports are drawn up to scupper development. It has no interest in imposing anything in local areas.

The Department did not buy Lissadell House in County Sligo, but it will be trying to buy development lands in the interests of the State. It is drawing up reports, determining its positions in its own interests and stopping development in the west. I asked the Minister to deal with the people in question but he has not done so. The cabal is not out of control — it is in control of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The sooner this stops, the better.