Despite the fact that we are in the middle of a crippling fuel crisis where energy prices remain the highest in the EU, this Government continues to enforce a ban on the commercial sale of turf - our own natural, affordable fuel. As I said recently in my own constituency, there is no better time to reverse this ban.
Rural communities in County Offaly and, indeed, across the midlands have relied on turf for generations. It is not just fuel; it is part of our culture and our heritage and for many families, it is the only realistic way to stay warm this winter. The current policy is absurd and self-defeating. We are importing thousands of tonnes of peat and briquettes into this country every year, while at the same time banning Irish people from buying turf. Former Minister Charlie McConalogue previously outlined that 32,000 tonnes of peat were imported into this country in 2022 and, staggeringly, over 30,000 tonnes of this came from Northern Ireland. Therefore, we can ship in peat from the Baltic states and from counties around Belfast, but people cannot buy it from a shop in Banagher or, indeed, sell it. Instead, we criminalise the sale of our own domestic resource. This is economic madness. The contradiction does not stop there.
The recently enacted Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 and, in particular, the changes to section 99 have made the situation even worse. As I understand it, by expanding regulation to cover past and potential activity, small-scale peat producers operating under 30 ha are now being reclassified as part of larger historic bog areas. As a direct result, most of the remaining domestic suppliers will be pushed over the planning and licensing thresholds and forced to close. This is catastrophic for Irish horticulture. The horticultural sector depends on these small producers for peat. Without them, domestic supply will collapse. Growers will be forced to rely on imported peat that is of inferior quality and it will cost approximately double the price because of transport and supply constraints. That threatens jobs, raises food prices and undermines the viability of Irish food production. Enough is enough. Will the Taoiseach immediately suspend the ban on the commercial sale, advertising and retail of turf so that rural households can access affordable fuel this winter? Will he work with me and, indeed, the small peat producers to introduce a practical, fair and legally robust framework for sub-30 ha operations, including the reintroduction of targeted exemptions so that we can maintain a sustainable domestic peat supply that protects both our environment and the future of Irish horticulture and food production?
