I wish to be associated with the messages of sympathy to the Fianna Fáil Party and the family of Brian Crowley on his recent passing. As a fellow county man, he gave a fantastic life of service to Fianna Fáil here in this House and as a Member of the European Parliament.

I want to raise serious concerns about current restrictions on controlled burning in upland areas, particularly in the Comeragh Mountains, County Waterford, and the consequences these restrictions are having on animal health, farm viability and land management. Controlled burning, when carried out responsibly and at the correct time of year, is a well-established land management practice. It plays a vital role in preventing the build-up of rank heather, which creates ideal conditions for ticks. These ticks spread disease such as louping ill, causing massive losses for sheep farmers and real animal welfare concerns.

The inability to carry out controlled burns is leading to higher tick burdens, poorer grazing quality and increased veterinary costs for farmers in the Comeraghs. It is not sustainable for hill sheep farming, which is already under pressure. A case was raised with me by my colleague, Councillor Liam Brazil, of an application to the NPWS from a Waterford farmer in August 2025 for controlled burning permission. He has yet to receive a reply from the NPWS, or even an acknowledgement of the application. It is absolutely disgraceful that an application made in August has yet to be even acknowledged, not to mind receive an answer.

Farmers are not seeking reckless burning. It is a call for a balanced science-based approach that recognises the role of controlled burning in protecting sheep, supporting biodiversity and reducing the risk of uncontrolled wildfires later in the year.

I call on the Minister for agriculture and the Minister of State with responsibility for the NPWS to work with farmers, fire services and environmental experts to ensure that properly regulated, controlled burning is permitted, rather than effectively banned, which is what we see happening. If we want to keep active farming communities in our uplands we have to give them the tools to manage the land responsibly, as they know how.