Midlands Junior Minister Hits Out At People Knowingly Cutting Turf In Special Conservation Areas

Wednesday, 11 May 2022 11:04

By Ellen Butler @LN_but

Pippa Hackett is urging turf-cutters to not let their 'identity' get so entangled with a tradition that they justify harming our landscape.

"A person’s identity should never be so entangled with a tradition that they can justify harming our landscape in the name of that tradition."

The words of the Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett.

The Offaly senator gave an impassioned message to turf-cutters this week, making a specific appeal to those who are knowingly cutting turf in Special Areas of Conservation.

The Green Party rep was reacting to reports on the matter recently published by the Guardian.

She asked those who cut turf because of a perceived ‘identity’, or because they want to show ‘the wildlife crowd’ that they won’t have any impact on their ‘tradition’, to reconsider their actions, saying, "It is not true to say that because you ‘love’ the bog, you are doing no harm".

"These bogs have taken thousands of years to form, yet just 1% of Ireland’s active raised bogs now remain, after years of land reclamation and peat harvesting," she continued.

She asked "those who think calling for improvements in air quality, or habitat preservation, is some form of an attack on them, to think deeply about alternatives. And think about the damage that is being done. We are depleting one of our largest carbon stores, and the habitat of some of Ireland’s most important species".

"These bogs have taken thousands of years to form, yet just 1% of Ireland’s active raised bogs now remain, after years of land reclamation and peat harvesting."

The Minister has previously said she's in favour of a balanced approach to turf burning, saying she has advocated on behalf of those in the midlands that rural homes and smaller towns be excluded from the proposed ban, and for small scale sale of turf between neighbours and family to be permitted.

She added;

‘Yes, turf burning will continue for many people, but it is reducing every year as more people move with the times, and find alternative ways to heat their homes. Our days “on the bog” are numbered.’

‘And I hope that when future generations visit bogs of the Midlands - like Clara and Abbeyleix – they will be thankful for the preservation of these wonderful natural resources. Resources that many of us stood to protect, when we had the chance.’