Maura Healy-Rae warns against turf war

COMMENTS MADE IN WEEK AFTER DANNY HEALY-RAE APOLOGISES OVER CLIMATE

CLLR Maura Healy-Rae has said that any future legislation limiting a person’s right to burn turf and wood is a violation of their heritage and tradition.

Her comments were made a week after her father, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, apologised in the media after he remarked “work for the people and... to hell with the planet”.

Yet, despite increased opposition to the burning of fossil fuels globally, Independent Cllr Maura Healy-Rae received support from several councillors in the chamber for her views on the usage of turf.

Tabling a motion before Monday’s full meeting of Kerry County Council, Cllr Healy-Rae called on management to write to the relevant departments voicing their opposition to any future legislation on a ban.

She said many elderly people and those on lower incomes use a stove or open fire and will be directly affected by a ban on turf and wood burning.

“Given their income, and what they have to spend, if turf and timber were outlawed they would be in a serious predicament,” she said.

She outlined how ‘common sense’ and the damage to the environment must be taken into account when it comes to the production and transport of oil, and that burning turf makes more sense in many circumstances. She also cited an inability of many people to afford to have their homes retrofitted.

“We can’t get away from the fact it is a tradition and a heritage. I cut turf myself every year. As much as it’s a tradition, it’s practical as well, and I’ll be looking for the support of the members on this,” she said. The motion was strongly supported and seconded by Independent Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae.

“While it’s some people’s only way of heating their home, it’s also protecting the heritage and traditions they have,” he said. “For a lot of people, cutting turf is how they grew up. Going to the bog, cutting turf and bringing it home and burning it is the only thing they know.”

Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae added that ‘many years ago’ it was people’s only form of income and a way of putting bread on the table to survive.

“I think it’s very unfair of any government to come along and tell people that their way of life and tradition and way of heating their home is about to be done away with.”

He called for common sense to prevail and explained most of the people still cutting and burning turf are of an older generation.

“What will happen is those people will, unfortunately, as it’s the eventual and natural way of life, pass on. But I would never go against someone who grew up in that tradition: that’s their right and heritage.”

Independent Cllr Brendan Cronin said he recognised the importance of the motion but asked that they get ‘the help of the father and uncle (Danny and Michael Healy-Rae).

“Before they take up any posts (in government) and before they sign anything at all, make sure it’s written down in black and white.” To which Cllr Maura-Healy Rae answered: ‘they’re on it’.

Cllr Niall O’Callaghan said that while he was opposed the burning of coal and supported smokeless coal, he supported the motion on turf burning that was befoire the council.

Photo by Domnick Walsh Danny Healy-Rae apologises for remarks he made regarding global warning during last week’s election count. He was watched on by his daughter, Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, who has spoken out this week in council chambers in defence of a person’s right to burn turf.