State sees sense over Ryan’s turf sale ban

A GALWAY Minister of State – and a turf cutter – has said this week that the ban on the sale of turf must be paused in light of the anxiety that the proposal has caused across rural Ireland.

Minister for Disabilities and TD for Galway East, Anne Rabbitte, said that as a public representative and turf cutter herself, she ‘simply couldn’t stand over’ any proposed blanket ban on the sale of turf.

“I think it’s important to recognise the difference between the sale of turf at retail outlets, and households paying to use another person’s bog for cutting turf.

“I’ve had numerous constituents in touch with me who are fearful of what’s being discussed and how it might impact their access to turf. This issue has really hit a chord and is causing a lot of anxiety,” Deputy Rabbitte told the Connacht Tribune.

She said that turf cutting was an integral part of life in Galway and across many parts of rural Ireland, adding that the timing of the ban was ‘simply not right at the moment’, given that Ireland and the country was in the midst of an energy crisis.

“For some people, turf is the only way they have to heat their home. You can’t cut people off all of a sudden.

“The people of Galway East, my constituents, are as committed to Climate Action as anyone else, but there needs to be more engagement and transition planning as we all work together towards a more sustainable future. A just transition is key,” said Minister Rabbitte.

Galway Cllr Michael Connolly has called for Green Party leader Eamon Ryan to resign – claiming that his controversial plans to curtail turf cutting would see the age-old tradition become a thing of the past.

“It’s a resigning issue,” declared Cllr Connolly who has taken exception to the suggestion that turf cannot be commercially bought or sold.

He said that the Green Party should take a trip down to rural Galway to see what people do and how they heat their homes. “He’s not living in the real world,” he added.

Read full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie