Turf cutters do not want extra money

A decision on doubling the compensation to bog-owners effected by new turf cutting rules has been deferred pending a public forum on the issue.

High Court judge, John Quirke, will chair a meeting in Athlone next week where turf cutters will get a chance to put their case across on why they think they should continue to extract fuel from their bogs.

Following pressure from rural groups such as the Irish Farmers’ Association, the Cabinet yesterday discussed proposals to increase the compensation on offer from €1,000 a year to €1,500.

Proposals from Jimmy Deenihan, the arts, heritage and gaeltacht minister, also included a once-off payment of €500 bringing the total compensation available to turf cutters this year to €2,000.

The Cabinet agreed to look at the issue after the forum had completed its work next week.

Luke “Ming” Flanagan, Roscommon TD and PRO of the Turf Cutters Association, said they do not want any money and it should be spent on providing teachers for schools instead of giving it to people who do not want it.

Turf-cutting is banned on 31 raised bogs under EU conservation regulations announced in May 2010. The Government said bog-owners will have to take a compensation package on offer for the next 15 years or relocate to another bog.

However, Mr Flanagan said the Government could keep the money for those who needed it.

Instead of compensation, he said bog owners wanted the minister to consider proposals that would allow those who cannot relocate to continue cutting turf.

The enhanced compensation package is expected to cost the taxpayer €2.5m and will have to come from the department’s existing budget