Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I concur with Senator Burke on the concerns about penalties being imposed on farmers. Farmers are very aware of their responsibilities. This has been rumbling for a long number of years with regard to responsibilities for protecting habitats and environments. Depending on conditions and at certain times of the year, fires can spread if started maliciously or accidentally by another individual. They can spread – pardon the pun – like wildfire across commonages, protected areas and forestry. In the Connemara area I have seen the aftermath of such destruction. I have seen fires that have taken place. Depending on the conditions and the time of year, they can run wild. Farmers are penalised and their payments are held up or stopped until such time as investigations take place. I look forward to the response from the Minister of State.