When are you going to open Lanesborough?

What about Derrybrien?

We can make an order.

In the national interest.

We are talking about a wind farm in the county that you are from, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, that could power the second biggest county in Ireland and we are talking about Europe telling us what to do. We can bring out an emergency order if a Minister wants to do it. It is so frustrating.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this. I will first say I am the chairman of a group water scheme. We run it ourselves voluntarily. We do not need Irish Water or anyone else, thankfully; we do it ourselves. There is a great community in our area. I want to make that clear. I probably have an advantage over most people where I would have dug and laid it, filled it in and scoured it and done everything with water down through the years. I listened to the speakers and the debate earlier on the motion from the Reg…

First, on the voucher the Government gives out for electricity, I hope that this time people who live over their premises get the rebate back because the last time they did not. Second, if the Minister of State wants solutions, I have a suggestion. In six to seven weeks, Lanesborough and Shannonbridge power stations can burn biomass. We are exporting biomass because we have no place to use it and we could use it there. I have talked to people in the ESB and they said it is no problem and it would take six to seven …

I concur with Deputy Ó Cuív. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House, but, to be honest, what is going on is shambolic. I want to know if this is a Civil Service problem. We are sick and tired of this. In fairness, the Ceann Comhairle has gone above and beyond for everyone to ensure that this would be accommodated. Deputy Ó Cuív and I have followed this. I know the consequences of this. I know farmers around the country who want to plant forestry but because it was in a natural heritage area, NHA, it …

With the amendment Deputy Ó Cuív spoke about, the science is done already. There were categories 1 and 2. I remember when they were being done at the time. The science has been done by competent scientists. It is there for the Minister of State. No one else has to look at it. He decides then on the amendments. I think turbary rights have been sorted in recent weeks where people have the right to cut their turf, sell it and whatever. On the science of the bogs, the National Parks and Wildlife Service looked at them.…

Yes.

Sorry to talk out of turn but, given the Minister of State said he will hold a meeting for Deputies shortly, and, in fairness to the Ceann Comhairle, he has made it clear he is accommodating, and we thank him for that, it would be very helpful if it was possible for a representative of the Ceann Comhairle or the Ceann Comhairle to be available so that we would not be going over and back and that we would have everyone there able to say "Yea" or "Nay" on whether this can go through. Would that be possible and in tha…

Our masters.

We are Irish. We are not European.

To move on from the last debate, food and energy security is the most important matter for any country. Yesterday evening, as the Minister is probably aware given he is the Minister over it, the EU diktat voted that gas and nuclear power are basically going to be classed as green resources, which I do not have a problem with. The Minister is probably also aware of some of things going on in Europe such as in the Netherlands. The Minister is proposing to bring in climate targets for the agricultural sector whereas t…

They were all about fuel and food.

We all know the way forward. It is the present we have to deal with. People are struggling. The Minister said I asked too many questions. I will deal with one and specialise on it. I have said clearly that coal is getting scarce, as is well known. It will cost €50 for a 40 kg bag. People around the country will not be able to afford it. Will the Minister clarify something for me? There are 11 different types of bog ownership, as I mentioned in a motion. Will those people be able to cut for their own houses? Will th…

Before what?

They cannot get coal and they cannot bring a legal challenge.

I know that.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this legislation. In the last few hours it was on the news that the G7 has said very clearly that unfortunately for them, because of the situation that is evolving, they are now making sure about fuel security and that fossil fuels have to be used more. I have said this for the last few years but people did not want to listen. That is the reality because of the situation and they have to just live with it. A bit of reality has to come into it. Why have we a shortage of power he…