Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice met with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, and some of his senior officials, to discuss concerns around domestic turf cutting this week.<\/p>\n

It was confirmed by the minister and his officials that people who cut turf for their own fire in their own home have no need to fear an upcoming public consultation.<\/p>\n

Some media reports over the Christmas period had indicated that the cutting and burning of turf domestically would be phased out by the minister and his department as part of an upcoming public consultation around air quality and a proposal to regulate fuels.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the matter, Fitzmaurice said: \u201cAfter seeing some of these reports in the media and receiving many calls from concerned constituents on the matter, I requested a meeting with Minister Eamon Ryan.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sought the meeting to clarify the situation and the minister, along with his officials, confirmed that domestic turf cutters who cut turf to burn in their own fires in their own homes have no need to be concerned.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey highlighted that the primary concern is around air quality levels and that the public consultation is just a step towards addressing the matter.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs part of the consultation, there is a proposal to regulate the sale of fuels \u2013 such as briquettes, coal and timber \u2013 when it comes to their moisture levels or smoke content levels.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs was confirmed this morning by Bord na Mona, it was noted during the meeting that the sale of briquettes would be phased out eventually. The timeline for ceasing production has been confirmed by Bord na Mona as 2024, with a potential for sales to stretch into 2025.<\/p>\n

\u201cIssues around the sale of wet timber were also addressed at the meeting with the minister and his officials and advisers. It was outlined that in some instances timber is cut and burned far too quickly \u2013 reducing the time it has for moisture levels to drop if it is not kiln dried.<\/p>\n

\u201cTraditionally, timber would normally be cut in early summer or even spring in order to allow time for it to season.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was noted during the meeting, that there is a hope to regulate the moisture content levels of timber before it is sold to 20%, in line with levels in the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continuing, Fitzmaurice added: \u201cDuring the meeting, I explained to the minister and his officials that if efforts were made to ban the cutting and burning of turf domestically then they would face an enormous backlash.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all remember the battle that ensued when efforts were made to ban turf cutting on 53 raised bogs back in 2011 and 2012. One can only imagine the incensement and protests that would occur if the Government tried to enforce a nationwide ban.<\/p>\n

\u201cI informed the minister of my belief that the number of households cutting and burning turf domestically would decrease of its own accord in the next decade or so, as people \u2013 particularly the next generation \u2013 move towards alternative technologies such as air-to-water to heat their homes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The public representative for the Roscommon-Galway constituency wished to thank Minister Eamon Ryan and his officials for facilitating the meeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will continue to monitor each step the department makes as part of this upcoming consultation, but I will not rush into making statements until clarity is received on a particular point.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving liaised with members of the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, they are satisfied with the clarification and agreed to closely monitor developments with the consultation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs has always been their view, people who cut turf to burn in their own fire in their own home do not represent a major threat to the environment \u2013 and people throughout the country will continue to defend their right to this tradition.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it would be unwise of Fianna Fail or Fine Gael to row in behind any agenda that threatens that right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Concluding, the independent TD indicated that he has requested a separate meeting with senior Bord na Mona officials to get clarity on their plans for rewetting bogs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have requested a meeting with Bord na Mona in order to get a commitment that they will continue to main boundary drains around bogs that are part of the rewetting project in order to ensure that neighbouring lands are not flooded as a result of the project.<\/p>\n

\u201cI look forward to meeting with BNM officials in the near future to discuss this matter,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n

Michael Fitzmaurice \u2013 0861914565<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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