It's hoped that a solution can be found to allow turf cutting on Bord na Mona owned lands previously carried out by contractors continue for a transition period of up to five years.
Following a High Court ruling in 2019, it is illegal for approximately 30 industrial peat contractors to extract peat under licence as before and in March the company stated that this would be implemented this season. While it says that over 80% of people cutting turf on their bogs have turbary rights, which are not affected, the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association says it would affect 4,000 individuals, and others who have done their own deals with agents on the ground.
Politicians from the Midlands met with Chief Executive of Bord na Móna Tom Donnellan yesterday evening, in which he described the High Court decision as 'an unintended consequence' of the case on peat extraction operations.
Roscommon Galway TD Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice says Bord na Mona will work with their legal team on a solution put forward.
