Video: Fine Gael and Labour snub turf cutters at Dáil

NOT A SINGLE Government TD or senator bothered to show up at a cross-party presentation and discussion in Leinster House yesterday (Wednesday) aimed at putting forward solutions to the long-running turf-cutting dispute.

The event, which saw the Turf Cutters and Contractors' Association (TCCA) outline their proposals for solving the ongoing conflict over restrictions on turf cutting on raised bogs, was organised by Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley and Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh.

Also there were a number of other Sinn Féin TDs, including Gerry Adams, as well as Independent TDs such as Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Denis Naughten. But not a single Government TD or senator attended the event in the Dáil's audio-visual room to listen to turf cutters, many of whom had travelled from the West of Ireland to take part in the event.

The meeting came ahead of a court case next Wednesday when four turf cutters are to appear before Loughrea District Court on summonses relating to illegal cutting at European Union Special Area of Conservation designated bogs.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, Brian Stanley said that turf cutters are willing to be flexible and the Government needs to sit down with them and address the issues and their concerns:

“This can be a win for the environment, a win for raised bogs, a win for the government and a win for turf cutters. It needs people to be practicable, sensible and be honest with each other.”