“Work is continuing all the time to address the problems associated with turf cutting.” says Roscommon-Galway Independent candidate Michael Fitzmaurice.
“I have spent almost 20 years addressing this issue and will continue to do so on behalf of turf cutters in the constituency and throughout the country.”
“As another turf-cutting season approaches, works are been carried out on various bogs in places like Frenchpark and Ballinagare in an effort to resolve turf cutting issues. Work has already been carried out in places like Kilteevan and Glenamaddy to ensure that people will be facilitated to cut their own turf. I meet with the National Parks and Wildlife people every six week to discuss these issues. This issue is going on for 20 years and we need more engagement from the other side in these discussions. But there is one sure thing, within the next 6 to 8 weeks the people will be exercising their rights to cut turf on all these bogs once again.”
Mr. Fitzmaurice added that he and his fellow members of the TCCA (Turf Cutters and Contractors Association) “are always willing to help in any way we can and we are working with the surveys that are currently being carried out in some bogs. We are also in the courts at present and we will defend ourselves to the bitter end, but if common sense prevails there is a path forward and that path was set down by ourselves in 2011 and that will be the basis for settling this issue once and for all. It is a pity that it is taking so long for common sense to prevail but it is something we will keep working hard at” he concluded.