It means they can now begin preparations on over thirty hectares of bogs.
An application by Bord na Móna to continue harvesting peat on over 30 hectares of bogs in the Midlands is being approved by An Bord Pleanála.
A High Court ruling in September 2019 against peat regulations was preventing the semi-state company from beginning pre-harvesting preparations.
It's expected that the decision will help maintain supply to Edenderry power station as well as the Derrinlough briquette factory and the Horticulture business.
Laois/Offaly TD Barry Cowen says it's a small step in the right direction but isn't a long term solution:
Peat Operations Statement:
Bord na Móna can confirm its applications for leave to apply for substituted consent have been granted by An Bord Pleanála (ABP). The company had been prevented from harvesting peat this season as a result of a High Court ruling in September 2019 which struck down the peat regulations enacted in January of last year. The decision by ABP relates to the harvesting of peat on bogs over thirty hectares and helps sustain peat supply to Derrinlough Briquette Factory, the Horticulture business and meet the reduced peat requirement for Edenderry power station. The decision also allows Bord na Móna to commence the formal substitute consent application process and to begin pre-harvesting preparations.
The scale of the collapse in energy demand caused by the health crisis means that many of the recent Covid-19 mitigation measures, including the temporary release of employees, will likely remain in place. The company will however review the implications of the ABP announcement to assess the new operational requirements for peat operations. The company will be communicating the full implications of this decision to employees in the coming days and weeks.
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