The Tánaiste has hit back at what he has described as “scaremongering to an extraordinary degree” when it comes to the rights of people who use turf from their own bogs to fuel their homes.

The Independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Marian Harkin, told the Dáil that she was aware of speculation that the draft Air Pollution Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 could “potentially grant local authorities the power to search people’s homes and seize or destroy unapproved materials”.

Deputy Harkin said: “What I am talking about is turf which people use to heat their homes”.

Speaking in the Dáil yesterday (Thursday, October 17) she said to the Tánaiste: “My question is very specific.

“Does this proposed legislation give powers to a local authority or indeed any authority to go into people’s homes and seize turf that the homeowners are using to heat their homes?”

Turf

In response the Tánaiste told Deputy Harkin that the “legislation respects turbary rights and the rights of people, historically and traditionally, who have used turf from their own bogs to fuel their own homes”.

He said this tradition would continue.

“There is no question of people going into people’s homes, taking turf and penalising them or anything like that.

“That is not going to happen. That is scaremongering to an extraordinary degree. We are very anxious to protect those who had historical and traditional practices in respect of the bogs they own,” the Tánaiste added.

Deputy Harkin said while she welcomed the clarification from the Tánaiste she would also like a “clear and specific statement on the issue from Eamon Ryan, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in order to allay people’s fears and reassure them that their supply of domestic fuel is secure”.

Firewood

Separately both the Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy-Rae and the Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, have both asked the minister for finance if he would consider lowering the VAT rate for domestically and sustainably produced wood pellet products, firewood stove, pellet stove and pellet boiler.

Minister Jack Chambers said a reduced rate of 13.5% already applies to firewood and other solid fuels.

“No decision was made in Budget 2025 to apply a further reduced rate of 9% to firewood/wood pellets and wood briquettes.

“If such a measure was proposed it would form part of the normal budget and Finance Bill process where the cost and impact could be considered,” Minister Chambers stated.

He also warned the deputies that “as with other VAT rate reductions, while the VAT charged must always be correct a company can increase the base price of a product so that the final consumer does not benefit from the VAT reduction”.