Sudden measures called for to allow the sale of turf in the current energy crisis

Aontú is calling on the Government to bring in immediate measures to allow the sale of turf during the current energy crisis.

Donegal Rep Mary T Sweeney says: “It is ludicrous to think that people are sitting freezing and afraid to turn on their heating while we have turf in this country that could be sold. This is a crisis and as we have seen from other crises, the Government can act very quickly when it wants to.

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"We are importing hundreds of tonnes of peat into this country; we are importing briquettes and meanwhile, people are frozen and afraid of their lives to turn on the heating. It is illogical. It doesn’t make any sense at all on any level.

"This crisis is really biting and people are struggling badly. People are suffering from the sharp hike in costs for everything and while we may be in meteorological Spring it is cold, and the weather continues to be unsettled. I am acutely aware of elderly people, disabled people and those with young families who just cannot keep up with the huge increases.

"Costs of everything are escalating on an almost daily basis, inflation is now running at 3.6% and this is shaping up to be the worst ever global energy crisis. Aontu is calling on this government to exercise a bit of common sense and allow for the sale of turf during this turbulent time. It has an inalienable duty to the people of Ireland whose health and safety must be paramount.”