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.