Main pic: Machine turf cutting in Glenveagh National Park. Credit: Padraic Fogarty, Irish Wildlife Trust.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said there is no question of authorities going into people’s homes and taking their turf or penalising them.
He was responding to a query from Deputy Marian Harkin in the Dáil today. She sought an assurance that the Air Pollution Amendment Bill will not grant local authorities, or any authority, the power to search people’s homes and seize or destroy unapproved materials used for heating purposes.
“What I’m talking about here is the turf people use to heat their homes,” Deputy Harkin said.
“It has been widely reported, certainly in local media where I live, and I have been approached by many people who are concerned that this legislation could potentially grant local authorities powers to search and seize.”
Responding, Tánaiste Martin said there is no question of authorities going into people’s homes and taking their turf or penalizing them. He said that is not going to happen and went on to say the legislation respects turbary rights and the rights of people historically and traditionally, who have used turf from their own bogs to fuel their own homes, will continue. He suggested that the commercial exploitation of bogs is a different issue.
While Deputy Harkin welcomed the clarification contained in the Tánaiste’s response, she said: “I would also welcome a clear and specific statement on the issue from Eamon Ryan, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communication, in order to allay people’s fears and reassure them that their supply of domestic fuel is secure.”
