Nolan calls on BNM to withdraw turf cutting ban

Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has said that she will be engaging with the office of Bord na Móna Chief Executive Tom Donnellan to seek a review of the company’s decision to deny turf cutting rights to those who had previously extracted turf on their bogs.

Deputy Nolan was speaking as a sense of frustration and disappointment continues to grow after Bord na Móna’s notification of prohibition to all those who were previously granted a licence to extract peat on Bord na Móna lands.

“I think at this stage turf cutters, and indeed, their families and supporters right across the constituency are just weary of the apparent indifference and disregard being displayed by Bord na Móna at every turn.

"This latest decision is causing real hurt to many families who for a long time have been engaged in a traditional and cherished pastime.

"They want to see the practice retained and their rights respected, and this is what I feel Bord na Móna should be doing with its time instead of sending curt, legalistic, and blunt letters," the TD said this week.

"It is the very least the company could do in terms of extending a meaningful gesture of goodwill to the turf cutters.

"Offering them an email address to contact if they had any problem with the denial of rights to access the bogs was not the way to go about building up understanding or positive engagement," she continued.

"For many it is yet another instance of the inability of Bord na Móna to fully appreciate the kind of emotional and cultural investment that many families have in the bogs,” concluded Deputy Carol Nolan.