Delvin takes steps to protect its turf

Turf-cutters in Delvin are to throw their weight behind the national campaign of opposition to the government's plans to clamp down on turf-cutting on swathes of bog land across the country.At a meeting in Delvin on Wednesday, the 80-plus people who cut turf on bogs in east and north Westmeath agreed to set up a campaign group to protect the rights of bog owners, and turf cutters and contractors in the area.Sean Reilly and Roisin Reynolds from the Sheelin Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA) in Finea addressed the meeting, outlining their experiences in setting up their group and the widespread support they have received.Sean Reilly explained that the aim of the TCCA is to have the recent EU diktat, supported and agreed by the Irish government, in relation to the banning of all future turf cutting rescinded.Mr Reilly expressed the view that this diktat was agreed by the Irish government with its EU bosses without any consultation, or interaction with the bog owners or people with turbary rights.He pointed out that the current value of one acre of raised bog has been independently estimated at between €250-300.However, he continued, the government is vigorously lobbying bog owners and other persons with turbary rights to sign up to a compensation proposal which envisages €1,000 or 10 tonnes of turf per year for 15 years.He said the sum of €750m was allotted to the government by the EU to compensate bog owners for the surrender of their turf cutting rights, but that money has gone missing, or has been spent.Therefore, he told the meeting, the likelihood of receiving compensation is "very remote", and he believes anyone who signs up to this compensation proposal in fact signs away ownership and all turbary rights in perpetuity.National marchDetails were given of a national march in Dublin on the evening of March 7.On that day the TCCA, spearheaded by Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, TD, supported by a number of Dáil deputies will bring a private members' bill before Dáil Éireann.This will result in a vote on the matter, where each deputy will get an opportunity to reveal their support or otherwise for the turf-cutters of Ireland. Delegations are being organised from all over the country to travel to Dublin on the day. "This is our last and only chance to defend our long standing rights as bog owners and users.There is strength in numbers. We need boots on the ground," concluded Mr Reilly.Nominations were then opened for a number of positions in a Delvin Turf Cutters and Contractors group and the following were selected: Mick Nevin (chair), Mags Glennon (secretary), E Fechin (assistant secretary), Ronan Leonard (treasurer). Another meeting was announced for the Delvin Handball Alley at 8pm on Wednesday February 8.It is open to all who are interested in helping to get a turf cutters and contractors group organised in the Delvin and general East Westmeath area. Application forms are also available for those interested in joining the TCCA; (more information, Mags Glennon 087 6711130).