THE TURFCUTTERS AND CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION ARE OUTRAGED AT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE TURF-CUTTING CONTROVERSY.

THE GOVERNMENT LAST NIGHT ANNOUNCED IT’S ESTABLISHING AN INDEPENDENT PEATLANDS COUNCIL TO ASSIST IRELAND MEET THE E.U. HABITATS DIRECTIVE, WHILE NEGOTIATING WITH TURFCUTTERS AND OTHER AFFECTED PARTIES.

HOWEVER, IN A STATEMENT, THE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER ALSO SAID THE DECISION OF THE LAST GOVERNMENT TO END TURF-CUTTING ON 31 RAISED BOG SAC’S FROM LAST YEAR, AND ON A FURTHER 24 SAC’S FROM THE END OF THIS YEAR MUST BE IMPLEMENTED.

ROSCOMMON INDEPENDENT TD LUKE MING FLANAGAN, A MEMBER OF THE IRISH TURFCUTTERS AND CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, CLAIMS THE GOVERNMENT HAS LET DOWN THE PEOPLE OF RURAL IRELAND WITH THIS STATEMENT

BUT ROSCOMMON FINE GAEL DEPUTY FRANK FEIGHAN DEFENDED THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT, SAYING THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH TURFCUTTERS WHILE TRYING TO FULFILL E.U. REQUIREMENTS….

AND MICHAEL FITZMAURICE, CHAIRMAN OF THE TURFCUTTERS AND CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION HAS VOWED THAT, DESPITE THE BAN, TURF CUTTING WILL CONTINUE.