Advertisement

Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.

Support us today
Not now
Saturday 25 March 2023 Dublin: 8°C

# Turf

Last year
2022
# factcheck
Debunk: Turf is not an ‘agricultural crop’; burning it is polluting and unhealthy
It can take 1,000 years for a metre of peat to form.
# Solid Fuels
Cabinet agrees a ban on retail turf sales, as smoky coal ban extended
New solid fuel regulations are set to be introduced at the end of October.
# smoky fuels
'People might be reading too much into it': Eamon Ryan suggests peat briquettes won't be banned
The smoky fuel ban is due to come into being later this year.
# factfind
FactFind: Will planned turf regulations reduce air pollution?
Turf and other solid fuels contribute to air pollution – which can have damaging health effects.
'How many deaths should we tolerate?': Eamon Ryan compares turf plans to the smoking ban
Govt told to 'go back to the bog' as Taoiseach pledges 'no ban on use of turf this year'
# turf wars
Govt won't oppose fresh Dáil motion challenging turf sale restrictions
Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice’s motion calls on the Dáil to recognise that turf is a fuel many people are dependent on.
# turf wars burn on
'How many deaths should we tolerate?': Eamon Ryan compares turf plans to the smoking ban
Leaders Questions saw the third day of intense political debate over the turf issue.
# turf wars
Govt told to 'go back to the bog' as Taoiseach pledges 'no ban on use of turf this year'
A Sinn Féin motion is due to be put before a vote in the Dáil this evening.
# Fossil Fuels
Backbenchers tell Eamon Ryan that turf sale restrictions is putting Govt stability in jeopardy
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan will meet with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs today.
# Fossil Fuels
Dáil turf wars: Eamon Ryan seeks to unite coalition against Sinn Féin motion
Restrictions on the sale and burning of turf are being considered.
The government insists there is no outright ban and that there are exemptions to the regulations.
Several coalition TDs have expressed concern about what the rules would mean for rural areas.
Sinn Fein calls the new rules "unfair and unworkable".
'We won’t put your granny in prison for burning turf', says Ryan doubling down on no pause comments
# Emissions
'We won’t put your granny in prison for burning turf', says Ryan doubling down on no pause comments
A plan to prohibit the sale or distribution of turf will be discussed by government after Easter.
# Peat
Poll: Should there be a ban on the sale of turf?
Leo Varadkar has said that a blanket ban on the sale and distribution of turf locally would be “a sledgehammer to crack a nut”.
# turf wars
Removing turf-cutting from rural Ireland would be like removing wine from the French - Varadkar
Concerns were raised about turf not being available for sale in shops, particularly given the energy crisis and rising inflation.
# Turf
Calls to allow commercial peat harvesting but expert says it would be a 'bad step' for climate
TDs Carol Nolan and Charlie Flanagan have said the government should look at the ban in light of energy insecurity issues.
THE MORNING LEAD
Peat was cut at 280 plots in protected bogs last year without State consent
A report by
Niall Sargent
Noteworthy analysis reveals cutting has frequently taken place at 30 protected sites over the past decade despite clear prohibitions since 2011.
The cutting of peat has frequently taken place at 30 protected sites over the past decade, writes Niall Sargent of Noteworthy
No ministerial consents have been granted by the State to allow cutting in any of the protected raised bog network sites
Just 1% of Ireland's active raised bogs remain after decades of peat-cutting and land reclamation
All time
# Boglands
Cabinet approves €108 million funding for Bord na Móna rehabilitation plan
Environment and Climate Minister Eamon Ryan described the funding as a “major milestone”.
# Bord na Móna
Bord na Móna employees will continue to turn up for work every day despite attempted lay-offs
Last week it was confirmed that up to 230 workers were to be removed from the company’s payroll.
# protected bogs
'A great day for rural Ireland': Turf-cutting trial collapses in Galway
The State conceded it could offer no evidence as a crucial prosecution witness was in Australia.
# TG4
'I do feel let down': Midlands Bord na Móna workers in documentary on peat transition
The documentary will be aired at 9.30pm on TG4 tonight.
Voices
Saoirse McHugh: The end of turf-cutting brings opportunities to increase our energy independence
Here on Achill Island, saving turf is not just simply a way to secure fuel, but a way of life, writes Saoirse McHugh.
# Turf War
'This is about heritage and tradition': Turf cutters say the new bogs strategy won't solve the problem
The strategy includes plans to start restoration work on a number of bogs across the country.
# turfed out of it
These lads from Kildare went to serious lengths to transport their turf home from the bog
Winning.
# Opposition
Michael Fitzmaurice is leaving the Independent Alliance
He said he is now planning to join a new technical group in opposition.
# bog standard
A Leitrim man's epic swearing at a turf truck was caught on video
“They’re f**ckin’ nearly flat, the c**ts”.
# haaapin' turf
Bogfit is back with some excellent tips on footin' and haaapin' the turf
Leapfrogs, turfcutters, haymakers – all the latest exercises are here.
# turn that turf
'Bogfit' is the newest (and greatest) fitness craze to sweep Ireland
Haven’t you heard? Come on, keep up.
# endorsed by ming
Turf cutter Michael Fitzmaurice to contest Roscommon/South Leitrim by-election
Fitzmaurice said he had recieved many requests from people in Roscommon and Leitrim.
# bog cuttings
Your television may be running on turf. Really
Around 6% of the nations power is still drawn from peat burning power stations.
# Bogs
Appeal issued over unauthorised bog cutting
Parks and Wildlife Service received reports of the cutting from locals in Counties Meath and Westmeath.
# all fired up
Light my fire: Independent candidate launches local election bid with burning turf parade
Former Fianna Fáil member burns bridges with party as he launches Independent election campaign.
# Bogs
Turf cutters take High Court action to halt their prosecution
Two men charged with cutting turf on conservation areas have taken the action to prevent their criminal prosecution.
# Turf
New strategy on bogs "treats science as something to be bargained away"
An Taisce has accused the government of “putting electoral considerations ahead of the needs of Ireland’s young generations”.
# Bogs
Government publishes plan to allow turf cutting on more bogs
TD Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan has accused the government of attempting to win votes in the upcoming local and European elections with the move.
# for peat's sake
US customers paying $49 for briquettes so their houses can smell like Ireland
Turf wars.
# Environment
Turf cutters dispute latest Deenihan comments on bogs
Yesterday, Minister Jimmy Deenihan said that turf cutting declined by 45 per cent this year – but turf cutters dispute this.
# turf cutting
Unauthorised turf cutting declined by 45 per cent so far this year
Almost 3,800 compensation payments have also been made to turf cutters.
# Turf
Over €46,000 spent on surveillance of bogs for illegal turf cutting this year
TD Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan suggested that if planes are going to be flying over the bogs so frequently, “maybe they could bring our turf home for us”.
# Endangered
Bog action group criticised for ‘appalling persecution’ of endangered bird
TD Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan said An Taisce needs to “stop burning bloody bridges” but said his association did not condone the group’s action.
# the gathering
The head of the CIA is bringing this piece of Kilteevan turf back to the White House
John Brennan attended an event at the church his Irish father was baptised in, in the small Roscommon village on Friday night.
# Bord na Móna
Last year's poor peat harvest cost Bord Na Móna over €23m
However the company still managed to make a profit of €9.2 million last year.
Voices
Column: Burning our bogs is like setting fire to our future
There is an economic and social value in preserving our bogs. We need to forget our romantic ideas turf fires and preserve our heritage, writes Kieran McNally.