THEY TRY TO DEVIDE US, rural and urban, but the environment is EVERYONE’S concern. If the government restored the cuts they made to local authorities they would, for a change, do the right thing and help both the people and the environment, wherever they live, instead of the dreadful ‘slash and burn’ approach they take to our natural heritage.

This was my second time to address the proposed Bill by Heather Humphries FG, which would extend the time for burning off heather and gorse in the countryside. It carries enormous risk to our natural heritage, our tourist potential and crucially to our wild-life. So are they just pandering to the big ranchers, or what? Nothing justifies this.