A ban on the burning of turf and peat should be reconsidered in light of the continued lockdown, Clare’s first citizen has said.

Proposals to ban the commercial sale of sod turf and restrict the burning of wet logs, peat products and other manufactured fuels that did not meet strict low-smoke standards emerged in February from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications but did not appear in the Programme for Government.

Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan (GP) has been urged to hold back on any plans to ban the “burning of turf, peat products or wood for the heating of homes” by the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Mary Howard (FG).

“This winter, fuel poverty became a serious reality for many Irish citizens due to being ‘locked down’ since last Autumn,” the Ennis representative outlined in a motion before the local authority’s March meeting.

Elected representatives have contributed some of their General Municipal Allocation (GMA) to assist Clare’s COVID-19 community response forum who had uncovered a total of 375 families and individuals that are experiencing a fuel and food shortage during the pandemic.

With more people at home as a result of the restrictions, Cllr Howard flagged that one consequence included “food and fuel poverty”. She said that peat, timber and wood products are “still imported to the country” so little impact would be noticed with regard to carbon footprint.

Although the selling of smoky coal is banned in Ennis and Clarecastle, the Mayor informed the meeting that people are still buying it “for the heat”.

Strong criticism of the Green Party was issued by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND). “I remember years ago, the Green wanted to get rid of everything,” the Shannon representative claimed. He added, “They’re making it up as they go along, I would hope Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael cop on”.

Related News

joe vaughan 1
Moy's Joe Vaughan remembered as a legend who championed the underdog
deirdre madden barbara kears maureen kelly yvonne enright 1
School secretaries will stay on strike as long as Government ignore them - Scariff's Maureen
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
Closing hours extended in Lisdoonvarna for match-making festival
Supermacs-Plaza
New legal challenge against €10m Supermac's Plaza makes 'mockery of planning system'
Latest News
Supermacs-Plaza
New legal challenge against €10m Supermac's Plaza makes 'mockery of planning system'
conor mckenna 1
'Secretaries have been papering over the cracks from Dept under-funding' - Inch principal issues support to workers on strike
mobile banking 1
Phishing scam under investigation in Ennis
sixmilebridge v whitegate 28-08-22 16 conor whelan
Strong finish helps Whitegate edge Bodyke in thriller
éire óg v st josephs miltown 20-08-23 gavin murray darragh mcdonagh eoin o'brien 1
Collisions on course following senior, intermediate & junior football quarter-final draws
Premium
'We don't want freebies, we want what we're entitled to' - school secretaries & caretakers seek pension parity
'We won't be afraid of anyone' - excitement building in Ennistymon for Clare SFC quarter-finals
Coolmeen claim last Clare IFC quarter-final spot with dramatic finish
'Hard-fought wins' for Cratloe has paved way to quarter-finals
Clare PIHC: Tulla draw knocks out Killanena, Tubber thump Parteen/Meelick & Magpies fall to another shock defeat

Advertisement

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.