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Seanad
‹ Order of Business (Resumed)

Government turf-cutting response

Summary

The Leader defends the Government’s turf-cutting arrangements, citing compensation and turf-delivery schemes and condemning damage to protected bogs; Senators press the issue of constitutional rights.

Unfortunately, we saw a number of instances over the weekend of damage to the protected raised bogs. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, has worked very hard to try to solve the problem. Senator John Whelan has mentioned that €4 million has been spent on compensation payments and turf delivery schemes to date. There is no need for people to break the law. We have a system in place under which turf cutters can receive €1,500 per year in compensation for 15 years or have 15 tonnes of turf delivered to their homes. Therefore, there is no need for this desecration of the protected raised bogs. Only 2% of the raised bogs in the country are affected.

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What about people's constitutional rights?

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That is the current position.

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It is not all that long ago when Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh did not believe in the Constitution at all.

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Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

The Leader to continue, without interruption.

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