An Taisce Letter to Minister Madigan re ABP refusal of peat cutting relocation

11th September 2019
News Item

An Taisce has formally written to Minister Josepha Madigan, TD, Minister for Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht, in relation to the decision of 4th September 2019 by An Bord Pleanála relating to turf cutting and peat extraction at Coolree and Blackwood Bog, Robertstown, Co Kildare. This decision refuses the request, lodged in the Minister’s name, for permission to relocate turf cutting and peat extraction under the Turf Cutters cessation scheme. The letter sets out An Taisce’s continued concern that the current approach is entirely inappropriate and inconsistent with multiple state obligations, specifically including commitments to effective national climate mitigation action. An Taisce calls for a fundamental review of the Department’s Peatlands Strategy in order to properly prioritise and integrate climate action with peatland protection and reversal of biodiversity loss on a national basis. The full letter is published below.

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