Seanad debates

Wednesday, 13 October 2021

10:30 am

Photo of Robbie GallagherRobbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If the Leas-Chathaoirleach keeps talking and does not allow me in, he will be in more trouble afterwards. I am only messing, as I know the Leas-Chathaoirleach will give me my ten minutes. I have no doubt about that.

On a more serious note, I was heartened by one of the Minister of State's sentences, when he said he had no issue with peat extraction being taken from the planning process, which I welcome. I could feel the frustration in his voice during his presentation on this issue. If the Minister of State feels frustrated, he can imagine how the people standing outside the gates of Leinster house feel this afternoon and how frustrated they must be. Not just frustrated, but fearful of what the future holds. We have this farcical situation outlined by a number of Senators, of peat being imported from Baltic states and transported here by sea and then transported on our roads to the midlands to rest beside bogs that have already closed. Senator Mullen said we were dancing around the issue without calling it what it is. I have no issue calling it what it is - complete and utter madness. It needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

I come from a county in which the agricultural sector is vitally important. The Minister of State and I had a conversation, not so long ago, about the importance of the agrifood industry to Monaghan, with particular emphasis on the mushroom industry. We are very proud in County Monaghan that Monaghan Mushrooms is the largest exporter of mushrooms in Europe and the second largest in the world. The mushroom industry is worth approximately €119 million. Approximately 85% of what it produces is exported. The mushroom industry and all involved in it in County Monaghan of whom I am aware are in a state of panic about this issue because they are fearful. I am fearful of the consequences for Monaghan's local economy, if anything were to happen to the mushroom industry. This is how serious this is.

The people concerned are not closing their eyes or ears to alternatives. All we are looking for is a common-sense approach, whereby a window of time would be given in order that alternatives to peat can be sourced. At present, they simply do not exist and the best brains in the country are doing their best to come up with an alternative but as we speak, it does not exist. All we are looking for is common sense. I acknowledge the Minister of State's presence this afternoon but perhaps it would have been a good idea, were all three relevant Ministers who have a say in this subject to be sitting alongside him this afternoon. This parcel seems to be passed from Billy to Jack and nobody is taking control of it. It has got to the stage at which someone has to take responsibility for it. If that person is not taking responsibility, he or she needs to be called out as to who and where the blockages exist. It is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. It is vitally important to the mushroom industry in County Monaghan and I sincerely hope that common sense prevails and we find a solution to this problem.

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