Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has warned Climate and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan “not to needlessly stir up tensions by interfering with turf cutting”.
The chairman of the Turf Cutter and Contractors Association was speaking in response to the minister’s announcement of a public consultation process on a national ban on smoky coal and potential regulations on the use of wood, turf and peat briquettes for home heating.
The Roscommon-Galway representative told the
Farming Independent that he welcomes clarification from the minister that domestic turf cutting can continue on privately-owned bogs; and is supportive of the minister’s proposal to introduce "moisture content limits" on solid fuels.