Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

I raise an issue in Roscommon with regard to the Gortaganny-Caher area, which experienced wild gorse and bog fires over the weekend. There was extensive damage. I compliment the local fire service on its response and the fire services from neighbouring counties, as well as the air support from helicopters providing water, on getting the fire under control after 36 hours. A number of landowners lost significant forestry and pension opportunities. Some farmers incurred damage of up to €100,000. On Friday last, the Caher-Gortaganny area was one of the new walks accepted onto the national walks scheme as part of a national announcement. Over the weekend, this special area of conservation was significantly damaged during the spread of wild gorse fires. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, will come in at some stage to talk about supporting landowners in these special areas of conservation as regards damages. Community groups have put in years of valuable work trying to develop and maintain these areas only for all of that good work to be destroyed over a weekend when a disaster such as this happens.