Coalition ‘breaks promises to turfcutters’

THE Government has broken promises it made to compensate turfcutters affected by EU laws which ban them from cutting on specified protected bogs, it has been claimed.

A fresh row has broken out between the turfcutters and contractors association (TCCA), which represents people who cut the bogs, and the Peatlands Council — a body set up by the Government to mediate a solution between all parties.

According to Independent TD and spokesman for the TCCA, Luke “Ming” Flanagan, hundreds of people are waiting for financial compensation, and promises of relocating to other new bogs have not materialised.