Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the proposed cost-cutting measures that will be taking place at Bord na Móna this year on account of the bad harvest; his views on any proposed pay reductions and time reductions across the workforce; the details of the dialogue he and or the management at Bord na Móna has had with staff and their representatives over proposed cost-cutting measures; the timelines involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45379/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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This year’s poor peat harvest has created significant financial challenges for Bord na Móna and emphasises the importance of the company’s ongoing diversification and growth strategy away from its core peat business. The management of Bord na Móna is taking decisive steps to ensure a sustainable future for the company and to secure long-term employment by way of its diversification strategy, particularly in the area of renewable power generation. The specific steps being taken by the company to address the financial challenges in light of this year’s peat harvest are operational matters for the Board and management of Bord na Móna. I met with a number of deputies on the implications of the poor harvest recently and on October 18th I met with the Board and senior management. I am satisfied that the Board and management of the company are committed and focused on managing the challenges currently being faced as a consequence of the harvest results for 2012.