Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

The Minister, Deputy Gormley, seems to lay the blame for the damage and danger to these wildlife species squarely on the people who cut turf and I find that objectionable. My telephone was hopping yesterday with calls from people who have spent years cutting turf, as did their families before them, without damaging the environment to the extent the Minister suggests. It would be more in his line to consider the developers and lack of infrastructure from this Government. For example, Athlone has no main drainage and no money has been forthcoming for the infrastructure to protect water. Consequently, dirty water is destroying our countryside. I call for an urgent debate on turbary rights because we are taking away the rights of the people of rural Ireland.