Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Reilly's proposed amendment to the Order of Business. I do not wish to labour the following point as I know it was raised yesterday in my absence from the Order of Business. Far too many people are showing blatant disregard for the law relating to fire and burning regulations. What has happened in Connemara is a national disaster, with 4,000 ha being wiped out and millions of euro of trees being destroyed. Coillte has told us it will take 25 years to replenish what has been lost. Competence in the provision of proscribed burning operations is critical. As we know fire services are being diverted all over the place from potentially dangerous domestic cases as a result of this. Perhaps the appropriate Minister might come to the House and outline the Department's strategy for preventing these types of fires.