Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Many of the householders who use dry turf may be elderly, disabled or unable to save the turf themselves. Therefore, they rely on buying it from neighbours or others. A study commissioned for the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has found that, all in all, 54% of all households use some form of solid fuel to heat their homes, with 16%, or one in every six, using it as a primary source of heating. Therefore, it is ludicrous and unscientific for the Government to announce that a ban on selling turf is needed to protect the nation and planet from the dire health consequences of burning a sod of turf. This announcement was nothing short of bullying by a Government that has a majority for now and thinks it can get away with anything it does or says. There has been plenty of huffing and puffing from the backbenchers of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael since the announcement. However, when they had the chance last week, they voted with the Government and in effect gave a blank cheque to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to do as he pleases.

Instead of talking about this nonsense, the Minister should have been talking about an issue I have been raising consistently in the Oireachtas over the past few years, the security of our national energy supply. Despite my best efforts, the Government has refused to address my concerns or those of the nation in any way. I am now concerned that the Government is not acting in our national interest with regard to the security of our energy supply. I have asked the Minister numerous times over the past few years about the officially commissioned report on the security of energy supply. Where is it and why is it over a year late? This is my third time asking for an answer in the Dáil.

We hear that fuel may be rationed if supplies are squeezed. Let me tell the Minister of State that if this happens, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, should be brought up for gross negligence for failing to move to secure our energy in this country. A floating liquified natural gas terminal in Cork Harbour would immediately improve additional security of supply. I spoke at length with the Minister to have him progress this plan with a man from west Cork. Where is the plan? Has it been thrown in the bin? What about progressing the carbon-neutral development off Barryroe? It is being kicked around and political posturing interferes with its progress. Why has it been stalled? It has the potential to create 1,200 jobs locally, bringing €3 billion into the economy. More important is its potential to make us totally energy independent, stopping us importing fuels when we have them on our own doorstep.

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