Peat council vows to be fair

THE head of a new mediation body set up to address complaints by rural dwellers banned from cutting turf in ecologically sensitive areas has promised to deal fairly and sensitively with those affected.

Conor Skehan, the former chairman of Bord na Móna, has been appointed to head up the newly formed Peatlands Council, which will hear arguments from farming organisations and environmentalists as well as turf-cutters.

He said he would listen to the concerns of rural dwellers affected by the EU legislation which is designed to protect rare flora and fauna, especially rare heather.