Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to note that this concerns a legal and a planning issue. Sometimes the media does not highlight that it was not a Government decision, but in fact a decision of the courts. Companies including Klasmann Deilmann - I spoke to Kevin Mahon outside Leinster House, and Ronan, Joe and others who have trucks and employees working at company on the Longford-Westmeath border - made an application for leave to apply for substitute consent and, 15 months later, they are no further along in the process. It would take six years to hopefully achieve the regulatory approval to start producing peat again. We need to streamline the permit process. We need a fair and workable licensing system that would allow for the phasing out of peat production and provide the opportunity for alternatives to be developed. More important, it would ensure there would be a secure supply of Irish-sourced growing media available so that the sustainable horticultural sector, which is important in this country, is not jeopardised.

We do want the situation whereby 400 truckloads of peat will be delivered per month to the midlands from Drogheda over the next ten years. We need guarantees from the Minister of State that this issue will be dealt with immediately. I take on board and welcome the comments he made today. I know he has a strong personal interest in this and I have every confidence that it will be dealt with. I hope that common sense, as Senator Gallagher said, will prevail upon all parties. Councillor Paul Ross, a member of Fine Gael in Longford, worked extremely hard on this project. I acknowledge him for the work he has done in that regard. I have every confidence in the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, to deal with this issue in a positive way.