The future of proposed solid fuel regulations was discussed at the FG/FF parliamentary party meetings last night. FG Party Leader Leo Veradkar told members that a ban on the commercial production of turf in September is being paused.
Later a spokesperson for Environment Minister Eamon Ryan denied there was any pause in the plan.
The spokesperson said there will be discussions after Easter as to how the regulations would be implemented but there was no agreement on a pause.
News of the impending ban has sparked a backlash from rural-based backbenchers in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
The regulations were first proposed last September to come into effect in September 2022.
The proposal would allow turf cutting for a person’s own use but not for commercial purposes.
Tipperary TD’s Jackie Cahill and Mattie McGrath have been sharply critical of the proposal with Deputy Cahill saying banning the selling or gifting of turf while providing no immediate, viable and cost-effective alternative is simply not on.
