Look after peat communities, says Mary

MARY Robinson compared fossil fuel companies to those producing tobacco as she called on Bord Na Mona to undertake a ‘just transition’ as they prepare for major job losses.

The former president said: ‘The UN special report released last month heralds the end of the fossil fuel era.

‘They have lost legitimacy to operate, like tobacco. Selling a product known to cause harm is not acceptable.’

Bord Na Mona announced last month that as it moves towards winding down its peat business, there would be around 430 jobs lost. Unions were told the firm plans to shut 17 of 62 bogs where peat is harvested, affecting a swathe of Midlands communities.

She said this transition must be undertaken to protect the communities affected.

Mrs Robinson said: ‘For decades the people and communities in the Midlands have served the people of Ireland by harvesting peat to heat our homes, but we now know that peat is the worst of fossil fuels we burn for energy.

‘A just transition has origins in the labour movement, aiming to secure the future and livelihoods of workers, based on social dialogue and commitment to human rights.

But she said: ‘The need for the urgent end of peat extraction mustn’t undermine the rights of the communities whose lives are dependent on the bogs, there needs to be a long-term strategy.’

She was speaking at a climate change meeting at Trinity College Dublin.