The Rural Independent Group have labelled as insane and dogmatic plans by the Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, to criminalise anyone, who markets, offers for sale, or distributes a sod of turf in Ireland. The group are calling on Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to stop hiding behind the greens and order a stop to this nonsense.
Criticising the government’s deliberate attack on the sod of turf, the Leader of the Rural Independent Group, Deputy Mc Grath, stated:
“It is mindboggling that the government would even contemplate, never mind announce, that they are proceeding with introducing regulations to ban the marketing, sale or distribution of turf from September this year.”
“Announcing this news in the middle of an unprecedented energy crisis is unforgivable.”
“Our group have been warning of the government’s sinister plan to attack the sod the turf for over a year now. However, given the current energy crisis, we would have expected even this government, to place a firm pause on any new turf curtailment measures.”
“It is now clear from this announcement, that the Green party are living on cloud cuckoo land and have absolutely no grasp of the current energy and financial realities impacting Irish families. Many families are facing daily decisions of either buying food or heating their homes.”
Proceeding to bring in a law to forbid the cutting of turf, except for personal use in your own dwelling, without providing an alternative fuel source, is a devastating blow to many rural residents, particularly the elderly, who depend on buying a trailer or two of turf every year to heat their homes.”
“Many people across all parts of rural Ireland are almost exclusively reliant on turf as a fuel source. The elderly and disabled for instance, who have always bought their turf supplies will be particularly targeted by the government’s ban. The extraordinary state overreach would mean people who gift a bag of turf to a neighbour would be criminalised by the government.”
“The government’s ongoing assault on the rural way of life, simply to keep the Greens on side and cling to power, is having a profound impact on all rural communities. Unfortunately, that impact will reverberate for decades to come.”
“The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have very serious questions to answer here, as they are allowing Minister Eamon Ryan to sign these regulations into law.”
“Under this administration, this crazed offensive – on rural fires and stoves – will eventually lead to an outright ban on the burning of all turf. Thus, if this planned regulation proceeds, it will only be the first step.”
“Turf continues to be a main source of home heating for many counties, including Offaly, where 38 per cent of households still use turf to heat homes, while in Tipperary around 4,000 households use turf for heating purposes, which crystallises how such homes are under attack by this government.”
“I can categorically state that my colleagues and I, of the Rural Independent Group, are outrightly opposed to any move to curtail, in any way, the use of turf to heat a home in Ireland.”
“Therefore, we are calling on the Taoiseach to clarify if he is going to allow Minister Eamon Ryan to proceed with these regulations. After all, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have the power to block this overreach. Therefore, we are calling for a concrete and crystal clear commitment from the Taoiseach on this crucial issue,” concluded Deputy Mc Grath.
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