Anyone who has the right to mow grass on their land can continue to sell it to their friends and neighbors to burn it, Fine Gael TDs and Senators have been told.
As part of a compromise plan launched by coalition leaders in recent weeks, there will be no ban on turbary-rights from cutting and selling grass as long as it’s not sold in stores such as gas stations or online.
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has now formally dropped a controversial proposal that peat transactions would only be allowed in communities of 500 people or fewer, following an outcry by backbenchers in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil earlier this year.
Details of the compromise, which were revealed in the Irish independent this week, were presented to rural Fine Gael backbenchers at a special meeting today.
The presentation at a meeting chaired by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar was given by Foreign Secretary Peter Burke, whose Longford-Westmeath constituency is a stronghold where the turf lies.
The meeting was told that the proposal to ban the sale of turf in communities of 500 or more people is now being scrapped and that under rules to be put forward in the coming weeks, anyone with peat and customary rights to the land can continue to cut down, sell and burn. turf.
Former Rural Affairs Minister Michael Ring said he was satisfied with the proposals and prepared to support the compromise. “I am very happy with the result, as far as I am concerned it is a very clear compromise,” said the Mayo TD.
“Once the regulations are published and they are as we have been told today, I think it will be a good compromise, a fair compromise, meaning people can sell to their neighbor.”
Former Justice Secretary Charlie Flanagan, a TD for Laois, said: “While I await formal government decisions, I recognize progress and am less concerned than when the original plan was announced.”
The Taoiseach told his parliamentary party that the government is finalizing regulations to be agreed this week to ensure measures are put in place to improve air quality.
He said they will not affect traditional practices associated with grass.
Martin said the traditional peat trade in rural areas will remain the same.
He said the main effect of the proposed solid fuel regulations will be to end the sale of smoky coal, which is the main cause of air pollution in Ireland, causing significant health damage and loss of life.
The proposed regulations will have no effect on mowing or burning of sod by people with lawn mowing rights, he added
Martin said the main change in the bill is the commercial sale of turf, which can no longer be sold from retail premises, such as stores, gas stations or fuel depots, or online.