Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is a very pertinent point. At the end of the day the only person losing out is the taxpayer. If this ends up in the courts the result will be lengthy court cases from which barristers and solicitors will make a great deal of money and for which the State will end up footing a huge bill. None of us wants to go down that route. We would like to see proper resolution in advance. It is pertinent to find out whether legal advice has been sought on the constitutionality of the Department's stance on this.

We know that some persons who have cut turf on SACs have been deemed to have broken the law. Are there any cases pending against the Department? Has anybody taken a legal challenge to the stance being taken by the Department? I am sure the Minister expected me to be vocal on this issue. Like him, I am working to find a solution. It is important there is engagement with all parties involved. I agree that on both sides tempers have been frayed and people have been very vocal and demonstrated in ways that may not have been appropriate. However, this is an issue about which people are very passionate. It is exacerbated by the fact that we are in the middle of an economic crisis and people are finding it had to make ends meet. Turf cutting is very important for them, as is having a regular supply of turf, as was the case for their ancestors. I look forward to hearing the Minister's closing speech. Without the involvement of the TCCA and other stakeholders his proposed solution will not work and he will continue to go round in circles, cause stand-offs and end up in a legal wrangle in the courts. None of us wants to see that happen. In my view the European Commission does not want to go down that route either, and was prepared to show a little leniency. I appreciate that the time was running out because this issue had been put on the long finger.

Tá súil agam go dtógfaidh an tAire ar bord na moltaí atá déanta againn. Tá Sinn Féin ag tacú leis na hiarrachtaí atá á dhéanamh le dhá bhliain go leith anuas, agus leanfaidh muid leis sin.