Bord na Mona\u2019s decision to suspend peat harvesting operations has been described as yet another broken promise to emplouyees by independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice. <\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier today BNM announced that it would commence work on its Enhanced Peatland Rehabilitation Scheme (EPRS), which will reportedly involve work on 65,000ha of its bogs this summer. <\/span><\/p>\n

The company claims that this will provide clarity for employees who have been concerned by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding peat harvesting since last year\u2019s High Court Case. <\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking on the matter, Fitzmaurice said: \u201cThe truth of the matter is that employees are being let down once again. Yet another promise is being broken. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was indicated late in 2019 that peat would continue to be harvested in 2020. But red tape and bureaucracy delayed An Bord Pleanala\u2019s eventual decision to grant BNM leave to apply for substitute consent to harvest peat this year. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBNM has relented due to the constant legal challenges it faces from certain environmental lobby groups.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is ironic that on the day when BNM makes this announcement, it also emerges that An Bord Pleanala has seemingly given permission for the Derryadd windfarm to proceed in Co. Longford. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s likely that significant amounts of peat will have to be excavated from this bog just to put in foundations for the proposed turbines \u2013 but yet the milling of peat cannot go ahead for another summer, as was previously promised. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn what type of world are some environmentalists living? It appears as if some aren\u2019t even bothered about the fact that people will lose their jobs. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet no one kid themselves. No matter how many turbines are erected, it won\u2019t replace the number of local jobs that have been and will be lost moving forward. There may be an initial boost during the construction phase, but that will soon disappear. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of these environmentalists who are telling the people of Ireland what we need to do have allowed peat to be fully extracted in other countries. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is also ironic that milled peat is now being brought in to Ireland by the boatload in order to service the horticulture sector \u2013 which is the same as bringing oil to an oil well,\u201d he concluded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Fitzmaurice TD 086-1914565<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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