Turf supply ‘can’t be turned off like a light switch’ – TDs

Hundreds of north Westmeath families could be plunged into fuel poverty if their supply of locally cut turf is ended this year, local TDs have warned.

Fears are mounting that private contractors who harvested turf for years in the Bord na Móna owned bogs of Coolnagun and Lisclogher will be prevented from doing so this year following the semi-state body’s decision to end peat harvesting on its land.

The issue is further complicated by 2019 High Court ruling that peat harvesting on bogs over 30 hectares requires planning permission and licensing.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Deputy Robert Troy said that he has asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan to work with Bord na Móna to come up with a “practical solution” for local families who depend on turf to heat their homes, at least until “sufficient energy adaptation grants are put in place”.

“One alternative arrangement that would give a degree of certainty for those families is that those bogs nearing the end of their lifecycles be given to the local community to cut private turf for the remaining years of life in the bog bank, thereby ensuring alternative measures can be brought into force as the bog phases out.

“There are many homes that have been reliant on turf as fuel for generations and we cannot simply turn that supply off like a light switch.

“I have asked Minister Ryan to intervene and put in place these measures to provide a measure of certainty to these homeowners in advance of the necessity to the switch over to alternative fuel supplies.

“We cannot put the cart before the horse on this matter – there needs to be a full suite of deep retrofit and energy upgrade grants available to homeowners before we cut off access to turf supplies.

“This is a hugely important matter for many families in the midland counties and I have asked Minister Ryan to ensure that Bord na Móna take the necessary steps to provide access to turf for the affected households,” stated Minister Troy. Meath West TD, Johnny Guirke, says that many of the affected families “have relied solely on turf cutting for years”.

“I have asked Bord na Móna to allow this contractor to cut the turf this year as so many of these families depend on the turf.

“For many of them, it’s the cheapest way to heat their homes as spiralling costs are hitting families hard.

“I have also asked if turf cutting will be phased out over a time span and that the rug won’t be pulled from out under them,” Deputy Guirke said.

Bord na Móna comment

When contacted by the Westmeath Examiner, Bord na Móna said: “Bord na Móna wishes to assure relevant stakeholders that it plans to communicate directly to them on these issues in the near term.

“The company will not be making any public comment on these matters before we commence this process.”