Part of a compromise plan hammered out by Coalition leaders in the last few weeks now nullifies a potential ban on those with turbary rights cutting and selling turf, as long as it is not sold in retail outlets such as petrol station forecourts or online. As such, anyone who has the right to cut turf on their land can sell it to friends and neighbours to burn.
After an outcry by backbenchers in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan dropped the controversial proposal that turf transactions would only be allowed in communities of 500 people or fewer.
At a meeting this week, former Rural Affairs Minister Michael Ring commented that he was satisfied with the proposals and was prepared to back the compromise. “I am very happy with the outcome – it is a very clear compromise as far as I am concerned.”
A Fine Gael statement also applauded the meeting as being very positive, and members of the parliamentary party welcomed the fact the “regulations have been significantly revised. We must make sure we are not stopping customs that date back centuries when people do not have other alternatives. The meeting recognised the effect of poor air quality on people’s health and wellbeing. This solution would protect and extend the current smoky coal ban, while allowing for traditional practices to continue.”