Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has defended his plans to ban the sale of turf as Sinn Fein accused Government TDs of “political cowardice.”
Sinn Fein’s motion, which called for the scrapping of the proposed ban and a freeze on an increase in the carbon tax, was defeated in the Dail late on Wednesday night.
The party’s deputy leader Pearse Doherty hit out at rural Fine Gael and Fianna Fail TDs in the Dail for “huffing and puffing” all week over the turf war but then voting against their motion.
Read More: Taoiseach Micheal Martin says there will be no ban on turf use 'for the remainder of the year'
In a heated exchange in the Dail on Thursday, Minister Ryan said the Coalition Government will not “walk away” from saving 1,300 people’s lives who die from poor quality air pollution each year in Ireland - referring to an estimation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report from 2020.
Minister Ryan said: “Are we to ignore the heart surgeons and cardiologists across the country and the respiratory disease experts who say that this does have to be tackled?
“They make it clear that the burning of solid fuels, smoky fuels is the central to a lot of the problems that our children have with asthma.
“What number of deaths should we tolerate? I don't believe we should ignore it.”
He said it would be “reckless” of the Government not to intervene and said that the Government can deliver practical measures that will protect people's health and address fuel poverty.
The Climate Minister said the legal advice from the Attorney General was that turf sales had to be included in any move to ban the use of smoky coal across the country.
Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty slammed Minister Ryan and said: “We know the days of fossil fuels are coming to an end, we all recognise the need for climate action.”
But he told Minister Ryan “the way that you're doing it is causing deep anger and deep upset and deep resentment, in communities right across the State”.
He said Minister Ryan plans to “punish individuals who rely on turf” to heat their homes at a time when there is an energy crisis.
Mr Doherty said turf is used by up to 30% of homes in some counties and these households have no other source of home heating.
He also claimed that more than 2,800 people die of fuel poverty every year in Ireland - but this figure was disputed by Minister Ryan, who said Mr Doherty was referring to a 15 year old report.
Mr Doherty referenced the 2,800 figure from a 2007 report on fuel poverty and health by the Irish Public Health Centre.
Minister Ryan added: “My view is we have to stop the 1,300 deaths that are occurring every year.”
Officials in Minister Ryan’s Department are working on draft regulations that will need to be agreed upon by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
Fianna Fail TDs said they voted against Sinn Fein’s motion in the Dail because they believe the revenue is needed from the carbon tax to pay for a number of schemes, including retrofitting.
Speaking to RTE, Agricultural Minister Charlie McConalgue said the reality relating to turf is that it is already “phasing out” and over the years it has reduced significantly.
He said “progress is needed on making a move to clear fuel” and moving away from smoky coal.
When pressed if the ban should be scrapped and just let the practice fade away, he said: “I think anyone living in the rural countryside who would have depended on turf in the past would be very clear this is something that is reducing significantly and will continue to reduce.
“I think that’s a clear answer.”
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