April 09, 2010

Turf Cutting Ban Lacks Commonsense   

The Chairman of the ICMSA's Rural Development Committee, Mr. John O' Donnell, has called on Minister Gormley to adopt a commonsense approach to the ban on turf-cutting. He believes the Minister must reconsider his decision to ban turf cutting on the 32 raised bogs until the Government has had an opportunity to consider the details of the report from the inter-departmental group established to examine the issue.

ICMSA believe that cutting of turf by farmers for their own use must be allowed to continue on all bogs. There are many farmers and rural dwellers that rely on turf as their only source of domestic fuel. Any ban on turf cutting will have serious financial implications in the context of the current income crisis in the farming sector. Turf cutting is an integral traditional part of rural life and this practice must not be allowed to disappear.

Mr. O' Donnell concluded by stating that turf cutting for domestic use does not damage bogs and the Minister must provide a practical solution for individuals that have cut turf responsibly on these bogs for generations.

Ends.     9 April 2010

John O'Donnell, Chairperson,

ICMSA Rural Development Committee             087-2076589

Or

Cathal MacCarthy,

ICMSA Press Officer    087-6168758 or 061-314677

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