Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)

Some weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting turf cutters from the Moneybeg and Clare Island bog in Ross outside Mountnugent on the Cavan, Westmeath and Meath borders. We met to get some details on the issues facing them. They have been cutting turf for generations. In some cases three or four generations of families have cut turf to heat their homes. They use between 3 m and 6 m of bog per year. As they cut, the bog they leave behind basically returns to its natural habitat. One mile up the road there is industrial or commercial cutting of bog which is having a considerable effect on the water table, the lakes around the habitat and the top of the bog. Compared with private families cutting bog, the private contractors are making a serious difference to the habitat.

It appears to me and to many of these individuals that the Government is not fighting strongly enough for them. These individuals should be allowed to cut turf this year as they have to deal with heating issues. The Government is not putting Irish interests at the heart of their negotiations with Europe. Is it not ironic that at the end of the month, those in the Government will be asking the citizens to hand away more powers to Europe so they can come back to the Chamber afterwards and say their hands are tied by Europe and they can do no more? The turf cutters of Ireland should consider the upcoming referendum closely. It is clear those in the Government are pulling more power away from the democratically elected people of the State. They use the excuse that it is not their fault but the EU's on many other issues as well.

See this speech in context