I have once again called on the Taoiseach to implement emergency legislation to protect peat powered electricity plants in the ongoing debate about the future of Bord na Mona. There seems to be a disconnect between some people who are living in cities and those who make their living down the country when it comes to this issue. There are a lot of people employed in this industry and the Government must show leadership on this issue if it is serious about economic development in rural Ireland. We need to stick with peat production for as long as possible until there is a cheaper viable option within our own country and at the moment there is nothing on offer.
In connection with the recent court ruling on Bord na Mona I have to say I was appalled at the reaction of Green Party leader Eamon Ryan to that decision. He had a smirk on his face when the judgement was made. It is disgraceful that someone in his position would take pleasure out of a situation where his fellow citizens were being threatened with losing their jobs. I am calling on the Taoiseach to personally intervene to secure the jobs at Bord na Mona and to ignore the so called environmentalists who couldn’t care less about how their actions might impact on the lives of ordinary people in rural Ireland.