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Friday 22 September 2023 Dublin: 10°C

# Peat

Last month
August 2023
FactFind: Do more than a thousand people die per year in Ireland due to burning solid fuels?
The Farmers’ Alliance, which says it will run as a political party, mocked claims made by a Green minister during a debate on turf.
Opinion: Bord na Móna's former Derrinlough briquette factory should be preserved, not sold
Dr Patrick Bresnihan and Emma Gilleece argue for the halt of the sale of the long-running briquette plant in the Midlands.
Last year
2022
Debunk: Turf is not an ‘agricultural crop’; burning it is polluting and unhealthy
It can take 1,000 years for a metre of peat to form.
Citizens' Assembly told of need to maintain peatlands while supporting 'just transition'
The Citizens’ Assembly has concluded its fourth meeting with an in-depth discussion on restoring and regenerating Ireland’s peatlands.
Peat’s Sake: Leading company under EPA spotlight for potential unlicensed extraction
Noteworthy investigation reveals Klasmann-Deilmann Ireland is one of a dozen large-scale peat extractors currently being investigated by the environmental watchdog.
The Irish branch of peat giant Klasmann-Deilmann is being investigated by the EPA in relation to peat extraction in the Midlands, writes Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent
In June 2021, the EPA warned Klasmann it was of the view that the company was committing a serious and ongoing breach of EU environmental law
Almost a dozen other large-scale peat extractors are also under investigation by the environmental watchdog
Poll: Should there be a ban on the sale of turf?
Leo Varadkar has said that a blanket ban on the sale and distribution of turf locally would be “a sledgehammer to crack a nut”.
Removing turf-cutting from rural Ireland would be like removing wine from the French - Varadkar
Concerns were raised about turf not being available for sale in shops, particularly given the energy crisis and rising inflation.
Calls to allow commercial peat harvesting but expert says it would be a 'bad step' for climate
TDs Carol Nolan and Charlie Flanagan have said the government should look at the ban in light of energy insecurity issues.
Peat was cut at 280 plots in protected bogs last year without State consent
A report by
Niall Sargent
Noteworthy analysis reveals cutting has frequently taken place at 30 protected sites over the past decade despite clear prohibitions since 2011.
The cutting of peat has frequently taken place at 30 protected sites over the past decade, writes Niall Sargent of Noteworthy
No ministerial consents have been granted by the State to allow cutting in any of the protected raised bog network sites
Just 1% of Ireland's active raised bogs remain after decades of peat-cutting and land reclamation
All time
New peat legislation slammed as ‘incompatible’ with climate targets and EU law
The Bill, fast-tracked by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail senators, would remove the need for planning permission to extract peat for horticultural sector use.
Legal experts argue that new peat legislation disregards strict EU environmental law, writes Niall Sargent as part of Noteworthy investigation of peat extraction
Bill would give planning exemption to peat extraction for horticulture and pause any ongoing enforcement action until at least 2026
Peatland experts are also concerned the Bill is ' not compatible' with our climate action goals
Unpublished report calls on Ireland to end peat imports
The importation of peat to Ireland does not make ‘environmental, economic or ethical sense’, according to a working group report.
'We've made tough decisions': How Bord na Móna became worth €1.25 billion in less than two years
The company has radically changed in a short amount of time. But how did they do it? And at what cost?
Delay to much-awaited report on peat alternatives ‘very concerning’
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy said it was deeply worrying that the report, initially scheduled for the end of September, had been pushed back.
'Most polluting' solid fuels to be banned in Ireland within a year
Each year some 1,300 people die in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning.
Bord na Móna peat briquettes will no longer be made after 2024
The semi-state company has formally ended its peat harvesting.
'I do feel let down': Midlands Bord na Móna workers in documentary on peat transition
The documentary will be aired at 9.30pm on TG4 tonight.
Bord na Móna announces plan to redeploy 200 workers
The State-owned company has agreed to embark on a programme of rehabilitation of bogs in the midlands.
Landmark High Court challenge against State over peat regulations opens before High Court
The action has been taken by the environmental group Friends of the Irish Environment.
Bord na Móna power plant to remain open despite environmental concerns
Hundreds of jobs are safe, but concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of the Co Offaly plant.
Yes, these face masks made from Irish peat are real
Smearing bog on your face might be the secret to eternal youth.
Your television may be running on turf. Really
Around 6% of the nations power is still drawn from peat burning power stations.
Do you use solid fuels? It's going to get more expensive tomorrow
The carbon tax increase will add around €1.20 to a 40kg bag of coal and 26 cent to a bale of briquettes.
Last year's poor peat harvest cost Bord Na Móna over €23m
However the company still managed to make a profit of €9.2 million last year.
Bad news for fossil fuels: cost of coal and briquettes to rise today
The Government is extending the carbon tax to solid fuels from today.
Deenihan welcomes over 1,000 turf cutters’ compensation applications
However the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association say they will not stop cutting turf until the government provides relocation bogs.
Turf cutters claim victory as minister says they must "work within the law"
An overnight stand-off at a bog in Galway ended today.
150 Galway turf-cutters in overnight stand-off with Gardaí
The turf-cutters demonstrated at the protected Clonmoylan Bog as Gardaí tried to remove their equipment.
Bord na Móna staff to stage two more work stoppages
The agency has slammed the group of unions for the decision.
Bord na Móna staff to strike over pay proposals
A majority of staff voted last week to reject a pay deal agreed between trade unions and management.
It's official: Ireland is turfing out its bogs
Bord na Móna’s turnover and profits are down, but it’s happy to move away from peat.