Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan plans to introduce a proposal that will restrict the online sale of turf.
He told the Dáil during a debate yesterday (Thursday) that he will bring the proposal forward to cabinet next week.
He made the revelation to Cavan-Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, who urged the minister not to ban the sale of turf.
In his address to the minister regarding soaring energy costs, deputy Carthy said:
“Many families will be simply unable to heat their homes come the autumn. They are in despair with worry as to how they will make ends meet.”
“It is in that context that I have to say that it is bizarre that the minister next week plans to bring forward, according to his previous remark, proposals to ban the sale of turf.”
He said that such a ban would remove the “only viable” source of heating for many families.
He described this alleged proposal as “hare-brained”. In doing so, he stressed that government would need to “wise up” and bring forward proposals that will support people rather than “making their lives even harder”.
Online Sale of Turf
In response, Ryan declared that “this is not what I expect to introduce next week”.
Ryan told the house that traditional arrangements, such as a local sale where someone who has turbary rights is selling to a neighbour, will not be restricted.
“Where the restrictions will be introduced is on the retail and Internet – on that commercial operation.”
“The vast majority of turf sales are done through the mechanism that I mentioned. This is about all sorts of fuels. This is about regulating, first and foremost, smoky coal and wet wood,” he added.
Furthermore, he said it will not affect those relying on those traditional local persons selling to them for their heat or their own use.
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