A Clare Independent TD insists that joined-up thinking will be required before implementing measures that would result in turf being banned.
It comes as a Sinn Féin motion calling for the turf ban to be scrapped was defeated, after rural coalition TDs voted with the Government.
The government last night survived a Dáil vote to scrap an upcoming ban on the commercial sale of turf.
Sinn Fein’s motion also called for the upcoming carbon tax increase, which is due to come into effect on Monday, to be abandoned, and for the temporary removal of excise duty on home heating oil.
Rural TDs in Fianna Fail and Fine Gael voted with the government however, despite voicing their anger at the turf ban in recent days.
They’ve received assurances that proposals for a ban on the sale of turf won’t go ahead as planned.
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara, who voted against the Government says that until there’s an alternative in place, those who rely on turf to heat their homes can’t be punished.
The Scariff Deputy agrees that the country needs to move towards an environmentally sustainable way of heating our homes, but he insists Eamon Ryan’s plan has been “clumsily handled”.
A Kilnamona-based air quality expert says any proposals for a ban on the sale and distribution of turf wouldn’t have any impact until the winter of 2023.
Alan Bell, who’s Creator of the Ireland Air Quality Alerts Twitter page says there are cleaner alternatives available for those currently burning turf.
