Cutting Rights Will Be Maintained In Turf Sale Regulations

Revised regulations will be published this week, including a ban on the sale of turf online.

The Taoiseach says new regulations on the sale of turf will have no effect on those with cutting rights.

Speaking at a meeting of his party last night, Micheál Martin said the traditional trading of turf in rural areas will be maintained.

Revised regulations will be published this week, and include a ban on the sale of turf online and from retail premises.

Rural Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs have backed the changes, after a Green Party climbdown on plans to ban transactions in areas with over 500 people.

Laois-Offaly Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen is welcoming the announcement;

"I’m glad that common sense has eventually been brought to bare on this issue. Existing and historic practices associated with turf cutting and provision for those owning bogs/plots and those who don’t but are dependent on family, neighbours or commercial cutters in their respective areas will continue to avail of such options.  

"As I said all along and again at our pp tonight the practice of turf cutting is a diminishing practice save for many dependent and vulnerable households.  Those same households need to be afforded the option a realistic option with appropriate grant assistance to cater for a specific heat retrofit.  That could & should be proposed and included after review of recently announced heat retrofit programme with an option of €10,000 grant for those households presently dependent on solid fuel systems.  This would be in addition to the existing capped €3,000 grant towards insulation costs.

"Also want to insist that the emissions target for agriculture be set at the lower end of initial recommendations at 22%. Such a commitment as provided in the Programme for Government is a major acknowledgment of the sector's responsibilities and must be augmented by government supports to entice, encourage and work with farm families in achieving this ambition. That ambition must and will signify our interest in maintaining/enhancing the quality of our products with production systems that match environmental ambition and consumer demands.  I’ve no doubt with this target being set with the acknowledgment/cooperation of agricultural sector that it’s success when measured in the future will offer further potential decreases of carbon emissions in the future while still realising the potential of realising the demands on world food requirements.

"I would also contend that we increase our ambitions associated with potential energy dividend from offshore wind capacities off our coasts, particularly the west coast. That potential not only can enhance our emissions targets but yield a €300 billion bonanza by 2030 - the value of the Irish economy today. That too can ensure our agricultural output maintains its pivotal role in being at the heart of local economies throughout Ireland."

Fine Gael TD for Laois-Offaly, Charlie Flanagan and Longford senator Micheál Carrigy think a reasonable solution has been found on the issue of turf.

They released a joint statement from the party;

“I do recognise the effect of poor air quality on people’s health and wellbeing and I welcome the role these regulations will play in helping to improve air quality and public health...

“However, we must make sure we are not stopping customs that date back centuries, when people do not have other alternatives...

"There is no ban on burning turf by anyone in the country. The previously mooted restriction on use only in towns or villages of population of 500 has also been removed.

“I’m glad we could come to this agreement with our Government partners. We’re confident this solution will protect and extend the current smoky coal ban, while allowing for traditional practices to continue."

Their party colleague, Longford-Westmeath TD and Junior Minster Peter Burke says Fine Gael forced the Green Party into a "climb down" over the turf issue;

“We had a heated Dáil debate earlier in the year regarding regulations which proposed to ban the sale or gifting of turf, which to me was an unexpected and very unwelcome development.  Fine Gael called in Minister Eamon Ryan to our parliamentary party meeting on the issue and highlighted our very real concerns.  While we continue to take action to tackle the climate crisis, where there are no viable alternatives, those in Westmeath and other midland counties cannot be left without access to fuel.  Retrofitting is taking place but for the present moment, it is out of the question that the burning of turf would be in any ways limited."

READ MORE: Decision To Protect Turbary Rights Welcomed In The Midlands

The Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett is also welcoming today's agreement, which she describes "a balanced and considered solution".

The Green Party senator added;

“There was scaremongering and speculation around the draft Regulations earlier this year, no doubt for a variety of purposes. At that time, I brought my concerns to Minister Ryan and these are reflected in the final Regulations. They offer a balance between protecting public health and allowing people continued access to traditional forms of fuel.”

“There is no doubt that the smoke from turf is harmful, and that burning it is an inefficient and unsustainable way of heating a home. However, particularly in the Midlands, there is a long-standing reliance on it, and the regulations agreed by Government today recognise that.”

“I will continue to encourage people to consider the Government retrofit scheme and, for eligible households, the Warmer Homes scheme. A move to heat pump technology and energy efficiency means lower bills, a more comfortable home, and contributes to meaningful climate action. I am particularly looking forward to the planned low-cost residential retrofit loan scheme which will be introduced later this year under the National Retrofit Plan to help households to finance the balance of the retrofit cost.”

However, independent TD for Laois-Offaly Carol Nolan has branded the latest regulations as "absurd";

“These new regulations are a complete and utter cave in by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael party members to a, quite frankly, bizarre nanny-state agenda that appears determined to infantilise rural Ireland.

“Indeed, I would go further and suggest that what we are witnessing here is  precisely the kind of creeping criminalisation that I predicted would happen over the lifetime of this Government.”

“The Minister can say all he likes that people with turbary rights and all other customary practices in respect of turf will be unaffected by these draft regulations; but no one with an ounce of cop-on believes that this position will be maintained now that the principle has been accepted that turf, and even, wood logs, for heaven’s sake, are basically public enemy number 1 in rural Ireland.”

“These regulations are a testament to the gullibility of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael Oireachtas members who have been captured hook line and sinker by an extreme Green Party agenda.”

“Is this really where we are at-banning little notices in shop windows for a few bags of logs or demonising people who might want to advertise their turf on their Facebook or Twitter page?”

“It would be absolutely laughable if the issue were not so serious."