Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has criticised Bord na Mona\u2019s announcement earlier today, believing it does not go far enough to replace the jobs which will be lost through the cessation of peat production.<\/p>\n

Reacting to today\u2019s announcement, he said: \u201cOnce again, people in the midlands are being faced with the prospect of redundancies being put forward as a solution \u2013 which is totally unacceptable.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile it is all good and well talking about green projects and job opportunities in the waste recycling sector, will this this come anywhere close to replacing the jobs that peat production has created?<\/p>\n

\u201cVast parts of the midlands and some areas west of the Shannon depend on Bord na Mona for employment through peat production.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrastically reducing peat production in a short space of time will be hugely detrimental for these areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorkers were previously told that peat production would cease in 2025, as part of the plan to co-fire stations in Lanesboro and Shannonbridge with biomass.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the agreement revealed today for these peat-powered plants to run until the end of 2020 is welcome, it should provide a window of opportunity for planning permission to be sought to continue burning peat beyond that point.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth the ESB and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton need to stand up to the mark now when it comes to this.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever legislation or derogation that is required, to ensure that people who depend on peat production for employment are protected, needs to be put in place without delay.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis needs to be a just transition, not an unjust one,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Fitzmaurice also raised concerns regarding Bord na Mona\u2019s plans for the enhanced rehabilitation of peatlands.<\/p>\n

\u201cPersonally, I cannot see where they see the potential for the redeployment of 200 employees in relation to this project.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere does it see the funding coming from for this project?,\u201d the independent TD asked.<\/p>\n

The Roscommon-Galway representative also called on other politicians to clearly clarify where they stand on this matter.<\/p>\n

Continuing, he added: \u201cEveryone knows that there will be an election by at least May of next year.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is important for people to be fully informed before it is time to cast their votes. It is now up to them to find out where their representative stands on this matter,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n

Michael Fitzmaurice TD – 0861914565<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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