Proposed turf ban would ‘turn neighbour against neighbour’
“Lanigan’s Ball approach to turf ban is turning a fiasco into a farce.”
That is the view of Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan, who has called for “absolute clarity” on the status of the proposed ban on the sale, marketing, and distribution of turf.
Nolan spoke after Tánaiste Leo Varadkar reportedly indicated that the government had pressed ‘pause’ on the ban which it was reportedly due to implement next September.
However, Nolan said, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. Eamon Ryan has “directly contradicted” this position.
Nolan reported that Ryan revealed that the prohibitions were still on course, and the government had not made a decision to pause or reconsider the ban.
Proposed turf ban
Reacting to the latest development, deputy Nolan, said:
“The people of rural Ireland who are deeply opposed to this ban deserve better than to have the issue subjected to petty squabbling among government parties.”
“They deserve a clear and decisive rejection, not in a few weeks, not after a ‘pause’, but today.”
“It is simply disgraceful that government would first instil fear and concern, particularly into the many elderly people who utilise turf for home heating.”
“Then to go on and compound this position with political ambivalence is just not acceptable. We cannot have the Lanigan’s Ball approach of one step in and one step out.”
She said that counties like Offaly and beyond were “never going to accept” proposals to ban the sale, marketing, and distribution of turf.
“It amounted to little more than an informer’s charter, turning neighbour against neighbour.”
“Thanks to the almighty backlash that has risen up in rural Ireland and beyond, political backbenchers have finally woken up from their slumber regarding the impact of green policies on ordinary people in their communities.”
She said the public is “watching all parties now” to see where they stand on this issue.
“From what I am hearing, they will not forgive them or any opposition party who do not come out and support them on this issue,” she concluded.
