Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If that is what the Senator considers to be democracy then so be it, but it is not what I consider to be democracy. It is not funny. I have been here for 16 hours and will stay for as long as it takes. I have been very co-operative and I am disappointed.

I will outline my position on amendment No. 3b. Grubbing and flailing would not be permitted in August but if a farmer wanted to trim he or she should be allowed to do so for one season's growth, in the interest of land management and when reseeding or tillage is being carried out. This is an issue of trust. Do we trust our farmers, the custodians of the countryside, to act in a responsible manner? I trust them.

As regards amendments Nos. 4a and 4b, the Bill proposes that the provisions in section 8 on burning and hedge cutting will be in force for a pilot period of two years, to allow my Department to monitor activity under the provisions and to gather the necessary scientific data. However, I am prepared to accept the Senator's amendment to extend the pilot period to three years, which should allow for a more comprehensive assessment of the provisions. Section 8(4) states that I must seek the approval of the Oireachtas, by way of resolution, for the extension of the two-year pilot phase. I am of the view that the period of the extension will be influenced by the various studies undertaken during the pilot phase so I cannot accept amendments Nos. 4a and 4b.