Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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271. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will expedite the publication of the report by the working group on horticultural peat; the measures being adopted by his Department to save the horticulture sector from collapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57004/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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My statutory remit and responsibility as Minister does not include regulation of the harvesting or supply of horticultural peat. However, to assist in addressing the important issues around horticultural peat for domestic purposes, I set up an Independent Working Group under the Chair of Dr. Munoo Prasad. The potential of alternatives to the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry was examined extensively by the group, together with a number of related issues.

I received the final report of the Chair of the Independent Working Group on the 20^thOctober. The contents are now being considered carefully with a view to publishing the report in due course . I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Prasad, the members of the working group and all who contributed to the report.