Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to acknowledge the huge impact the closure of the power stations in Lanesboro and Shannonbridge, and the end of peat production, has had on communities and families which have worked in them for more than 50 years. The jobs at Mountdillon and Lough Ree power plant provided the communities of Keenagh, Killashee, Newtowncashel, Lanesboro and beyond will be difficult to replace. However, I welcome the substantial funding which was announced last year for a number of projects under the just transition fund. Some examples of these are the Lough Ree distillery, Lough Ree access-for-all boat trips and the food hub. I sincerely hope the issues which surfaced recently regarding EU state aid rules are dealt with positively to allow these much-needed projects to continue and provide much-needed employment in south Longford.

We must not allow the midlands to become a Rust Belt like the American mid west. Infrastructure and investment must be put in place to make sure it returns to a thriving economic area. Many areas are watching the midlands to see how the transition to a more sustainable future for the peat industry will be handled.It is important people in rural areas do not carry an unfair share of the financial burdens stemming from proposed climate action.

The restoration and rehabilitation of Ireland's peatlands is a critically important aspect of our response to the climate and biodiversity emergency. When healthy, these unique and precious habitats are home to some of the most threatened species and are among our best lines of defence against climate change, sequestering and storing carbon, reducing the impact of floods and filtering water. Ireland's bogs, occurring as raised bogs, blanket bogs or fens are special and unique places and play an important role in contributing to our biodiversity, economy, well-being and natural and cultural heritage. Ireland holds approximately 50% of all raised bogs remaining in the Atlantic region of north-west Europe.

I welcome the Government's announcement of funding of €108 million for Bord na Móna's large scale peatlands restoration project. The scheme will protect the storage of 100 million tonnes of CO₂emissions, enhance biodiversity, create 310 jobs and contribute to Ireland's target of being carbon neutral by 2050. Many of those employed in this project will be former peat harvesters who have an intimate knowledge and long history of working on our bogs.

I welcome the EU LIFE grant support. The significant funding from the European Commission for this project will contribute towards the implementation of Ireland's climate action plan. The three strands of the projects are the establishment of a peatlands centre of excellence that will explore and carry out best practices in peatland restoration and rehabilitation; an immersive people's discovery attraction in the midlands that will reinforce the importance of climate action and peatlands rehabilitation and the introduction of a range of supports for sustainable businesses.

The boglands of south Longford are a perfect location to situate such a centre. The Corlea trackway Office of Public Works centre would be an ideal base at which to develop these plans in conjunction with the mid-channel wilderness plan park plan which forms part of the County Longford development plan. Longford must not be forgotten.

I also wish to raise the issue of peat harvesting for the horticultural industry. In the absence of peat from Irish sources, the industry will have to import it. Until an alternative growth medium has been identified, I ask that we allow the industry to produce sufficient peat for domestic use, at least.

I received a letter from a 12 year old called Michael Gacquin who spent the initial lockdown period walking and cycling along the boglands in south Longford. He made a couple of points to me. His letter read:

Why don't we put our industrial heritage museum in the power station? You could put the old tractors and machines that were specially made for the bog into it.

He said we could have "small train rides on the peat trains" and that "it would be a great much needed tourist attraction for Longford". He said also: "I think because the culture surrounding peat harvesting in the midlands is so much part of our history, that it is vitally important that we preserve it." Those are the words of 12 year old Michael Gacquin. I want to see his words brought to reality.