Troy calls on Minister to be more forceful with EU

Fianna Fáil TD for Longford Westmeath, Robert Troy, has called on the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to be more forceful in Europe to properly represent the interests of turf cutters.

Deputy Troy questioned Minister Jimmy Deenihan this week in the Dáil about turf cutters who are not allowed to cut turf while they wait for a national conservation plan.

“The Minister should consider the proposals in order that limited cutting may take place in a small number of bogs when alternative sites have been identified. We have seen the Minister raised everyone's expectations before about the report but it has not been followed through.

“Many turf cutters have been promised compensation in lieu of their work but they have been waiting a long time for it. This is creating a disincentive for others who may be considering signing up for it. The Minister needs to pay attention to this. There have also been reports of his Department using the defence forces to fly planes to spy on ordinary decent people looking to cut turf, this is wholly unacceptable. There are a number of small turf cutters in Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) that can’t cut turf, they need to be supported.”

Deputy Troy also questioned why the EU has not been more supportive of the turf cutters.

“If the European Union is so supportive of the national plan, why can it not allow domestic turf cutting to continue on these bogs for 12 more months while the plan is being put in operation?

“While I appreciate the need for the preservation of the habitats directive, the EU must show flexibility. Justice John Quirke said a national plan should be prepared to examine how Ireland’s raised bogs and special areas of conservation are to be protected. A co-ordinated approach is needed and this should be done within a 12 month period. While this is been done domestic turf should be allowed to be cut. Another year will not make a difference as the ban was originally planned in 1997.

“It seems to me, the Government is quite willing and able to go after the small domestic turf cutter, while priority habitats in its control are not properly preserved. The Government should look at their own bogs first to ensure this safe control and preservation. Minister Deenihan must be forceful with the EU in securing concessions for turf cutters while the conservation plan is being put in place.”