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Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland
turf cutters
Turf cutters stand firm in rejecting compensation
Turf cutters are being encouraged to reject the latest compensation offer from the Government, which is 10 tonnes of turf a year, or €1000 a year for 15 years.
TURF CUTTERS ARE standing firm in their stance that they will not accept compensation from the government and will continue cutting from their domestic bogs.
Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, who is spokesperson for the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, told Morning Ireland this morning that turf cutters rejected the latest offer from the Government.
Under this offer, domestic turf cutters can choose to accept compensation of €1000 a year for fuel for 15 years or a delivery of 10 tonnes of turf a year per household.
Deputy Flanagan said that the offer of 10 tonnes of turf was not enough and that it would only apply for three to four years.
He said that it is usually more than one person taking turf from one domestic bog, so the compensation money would be split between all the users.
Deputy Flanagan said that in the past the government has reneged on such deals and that 500 people are waiting to get paid from scheme nearly 10 years ago.
Turf cutters are currently putting a plan together to be submitted to the European Union.
Deputy Flanagan said the government should listen to the turf cutters’ plan and let them continue cutting turf.
He also said “if they’re that flush with money” they should give the compensation to special needs assistants, or people who have been in Magdalene laundries.
Consultations are continuing between the TCCA and domestic turf cutters and Deputy Flanagan said just 1 per cent of those he had spoken to are happy to accept compensation.
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