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Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) are objecting to the Government relocation of nine turf cutters in Co Kildare.
The environmental campaign group say that the relocation will still lead to carbon emissions.
“This proposal perpetuates peat cutting for a new generation when all peat cutting should be now be phased out,” the objection lodged with the Minister for Culture and Heritage Josepha Madigan stated.
It is environmentally damaging
“It is environmentally damaging, costly, unsustainable and a waste of resources. The families [turf cutters] involved should be supported with energy efficient retrofitting of houses and alternative renewable sourced heat.”
The group say they are also concerned over the impact the relocation could have on breeding merlins on the area.
The relocation would see the turf cutters move from the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Ballynafagh bog to the adjacent bog of Coolree bog near Robertstown in Co Kildare for a 65-year period.
Compensation scheme
Some 2,626 turf-cutters received €3.9m in compensation under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (CTCCS) last year.
The figure marked a 21% jump from the number of turf-cutters who received compensation in 2012.
Under the scheme, turf-cutters or turbary rights holders who are affected by the cessation of turf-cutting on 53 raised bogs can opt to have an annual payment of €1,500 or a load of turf for a 15-year period.
SHARING OPTIONS: