Turf cutters call for backing

Dear sir - We, the members of Sheelin Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, are one of a national network of local associations, set up and affiliated to the National Turf Cutters and Contractors Association. Our aim is to have the recent EU dictat, supported and agreed by the Irish Government in relation to the banning of all future turf cutting, rescinded. This dictat was agreed by the Irish Government, with its EU bosses, without any consultation, or interaction with the bog-owners, or people with turbary rights. We were promised the sum of €1,000 per year or 10 tonnes of turf per bog-owner for a maximum of 15 years in lieu of our rights. This proposal did not make provision for any other family members cutting turf on the same, or, any other bogs. The sum of €750 million was allotted to the Irish Government by the EU to compensate bog-owners for the surrender of their turf-cutting rights. This money has gone missing, or has been spent, so the likelihood of receiving compensation is very remote. The bogs from which the yearly 10 tonnes of turf were to be supplied are now also designated for closure, so that plan is also a non-starter. The current value of one acre of raised bog has been independently estimated at between €250,000 and €300,000. The Irish Government are at the moment vigorously lobbying bog-owners and other persons with turbary rights to sign up to their proposal. Remember, that if you sign up to this proposal, you, in fact, sign away ownership and all turbary rights in perpetuity. It is the aim of the National Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, spearheaded by Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and supported by a number of Dail deputies, to bring a private members bill before Dail Eireann the week before commencement of turf-cutting, where the business of the Dail will be 100 per cent dedicated to the turf-cutting issue. This will result in a Dail vote on the matter where each deputy will get an opportunity to nail his/her colours to the mast. As the turf-cutting season is just around the corner and in order to give maximum support to the Dail deputies who are fighting our case, it is vitally important that each person with bog rights join ours or his local association. This is our last and only chance to defend our long-standing rights as bog-owners and users. There is strength in numbers. If you decide to support ours, or your local association and do not wish to have your bogs and rights stolen, join today. For membership application forms and enquires, contact Sean Reilly, chairman (087) 643 4902; Roisin Reynolds, secretary (087) 350 5221, or Joe Briody, assistant secretary (087) 625 8044. Yours, Sean Reilly, Roisin Reynolds, Sheelin Turf Cutters and Contractors Association.