Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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146. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if arrangements will be made without delay to meet with a group (details supplied) due to the serious difficulties that have arisen for the horticulture and mushroom sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41046/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My officials met with representatives of the horticulture and mushroom sector on Friday, 23 July. This meeting mainly focused on the serious difficulties facing professional growers due to lack of supply of horticultural grade peat, and the need for any proposed solutions to be fully compliant with the requirements of the EU Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive. I would like to thank the attendees for their constructive engagement with my Department, and to fully acknowledge that the problems facing their sectors are in no way of their own making.

It is not open to the State to simply set aside the requirements of EU law in relation to previously unauthorised industrial scale peat extraction. However, Friday’s meeting did identify a limited number of measures, in relation to smaller scale sites (i.e. less than 30Ha), which could potentially support some resumption of professional horticultural grade peat production.

My Department will continue to work with all stakeholders, including other relevant Government Departments, to help find feasible solutions for the horticulture and mushroom sectors, which are important national industries and which provide significant employment and contribute to Ireland’s food security.