TDs to be briefed on latest plans for ban on turf selling

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael politicians are to be briefed on Wednesday on revised proposals for banning the commercial sale of turf.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan had been pushing for a smoky fuels ban from September, arguing that air pollution caused by the products is responsible for 1,300 deaths per year.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil backbenchers resisted the plans, raising concerns about the impact on traditional turf cutting and people who rely on the fuel. The issue was defused somewhat after Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil that there would be no ban on turf sales for the remainder of the year.

When the row over turf erupted in April, Mr Ryan had raised the prospect of an exemption from the ban on turf sales for communities of less than 500 people. This was also rejected by some in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

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Community size

Under the revised proposals, commercial turf sales in shops and petrol stations will be banned. People with turf-cutting rights are still permitted to sell small amounts to relatives or neighbours without being penalised and there is to be no condition regarding the size of the communities in which these sales can take place. The technical details of the regulations are still being finalised.

A Green Party spokesman disputed a suggestion that the changes represented a climb-down by the party. He said the main focus of the planned regulations is to extend the smoky coal ban across the country.

He said this “will have a very real effect on reducing the 1,300 deaths every year from air pollution”. He declined to say when the ban would come into effect other than suggesting it would be later this year as the proposals have not gone to Cabinet yet.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs and Senators are to be briefed on the revised regulations on Wednesday. Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar will update his party on the proposals on Wednesday afternoon before the regular parliamentary party meeting.