Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Táim chun glaoch arís ar an gCeannaire maidir le cúrsaí baint móna mar sílim go bhfuil sé fíor thábhachtach go mbeadh díospóireacht againn.

I called for a debate on turf cutting on a number of occasions. I note the statement of Senator Whelan which I feel was very one-sided and ill thought through. It is very strange, as he stood on a stage in Camross before the budget and said he would defend turf cutters to the end. This is a very big issue. The Leader told me he thinks the law is very clear on this issue but I do not agree, with all due respect.

I bothered to go to the Commission and meet the assistant commissioner on this issue in an effort to seek a resolution. We were told by the assistant commissioner in Brussels that the basis for any resolution of the issue was in the TCCA's proposals on the 53 raised bogs in the State. Since then the Department has not engaged with the TCCA. There have been stand offs and will be more.

The turbary, property and constitutional rights people have to cut turf are not clear in terms of designations. We need to have a debate with the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, in a very measured way in order that we can tease these issues out. If the Minister is wrong there could be a massive bill for the State if the matter ends up in the courts. None of us want to see that happen. We all want a proper resolution. I again call on the Leader to ask the Minister to come before the House in order that we can tease out these issues.