Madam, – Ever since the native woodlands were destroyed centuries ago by over-exploitation, most people in Ireland have depended on turf (peat) for fuel. Many of those now living grew up with open turf fires, and, with our families continue by preference to use that fuel as an alternative to, or in addition to other sources of energy.
Harvesting of turf is objected to by a relatively small group, influenced in part from abroad, who wish to retain the bogs in their existing state for purposes which they regard as important, but which do not generally excite the mass of the population.
Bogs where turf harvesting is complete are traditionally known as cutaway bogs. It has now been shown that new forests can be successfully established and grown on cutaway bogs.
Why must a long-established indigenous land use producing a domestic fuel which is in continuing demand be terminated in the interest of the “hobby” of a limited-interest group, if the harvesting process were to be accompanied by a gradual transition to a forest cover of widely accepted utilitarian and environmental value? – Yours, etc,