Government accused of being "out of touch" with planned turf ban
A Sinn Féin TD has criticised Government "mixed messages" on a proposed ban on the sale of turf later this year.
The plan to ban the sale of turf from September has seen an apparent rift develop between the three government parties.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was not "our intention in terms of the basic rights that families have, and people who own their own bogs have, in terms of utilising turf, or indeed timber, in domestic fires".
The Fianna Fáil leader expressed confidence in the government's ability "to find a resolution" to the matter.
Meanwhile Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar reportedly said there was no agreement in Government to go ahead with a prohibition on the sale and distribution of turf.
However, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan signalled his determination to proceed with the ban on public health grounds.
Sinn Fein's Matt Carthy TD claimed this issue highlighted the government "are out of touch with rural communities and the cost of living crisis that is hitting people".
“While government leaders are playing games it appears that they still don’t understand that this is about people just wanting to be able to heat their homes," said the Monaghan based TD.
“Government actions and other factors have made that increasing unaffordable. Turf is the last available option for many.
“Turf has been one of the only forms of heating not to see prices spiral in recent months. The Government’s plan punishes communities who rely on turf, instead of introducing measures to support communities in transitioning away from this form of heating in a way that is fair and sustainable.
“Like the unfair carbon tax, it hits those on lowest incomes and in rural areas hardest while failing to go after the major polluters."
The TD accepted urgent action is required to tackle climate change but said "ill-thought out policies like this damage environmental protection by alienating communities".
“The Government could have identified several years ago the homes which use turf, to ensure that they received adequate support to help them with a fair transition. Instead, they failed to do so and have now gone straight to this punitive measure.
“This proposed ban on the sale is the wrong move at the wrong time and will penalise the wrong people.
“Sinn Féin will oppose this measure and continue to advocate for Climate Action and public health measures that do not penalise those without alternatives.”