News

Government survives Dáil vote on turf ban

Government survives Dáil vote on turf ban

The government last night survived a Dáil vote to scrap an upcoming ban on the commercial sale of turf.

Sinn Féin's motion also called for the upcoming carbon tax increase to be abandoned and for the temporary removal of excise duty on home heating oil.

Rural TD's in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael voted with the government, despite voicing their anger at the turf ban in recent days.

Speaking to his parliamentary party prior to the vote, the Taoiseach said no proposals will affect traditional turf practices or the sharing of turf in rural Ireland.

Advertisement

Independent TD, Michael Fitzmaurice, says he's disappointed at the actions of rural government TDs.

"Over the last fortnight, we have heard these same TD's telling the public and their constituency that it was scandalous what was being proposed, that they wouldn't stand for it, that you could split a government.

"But a funny thing when they went to the Dail, their finger seems to go a different way."

Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy says last night's Sinn Féin motion was a set-up.

Advertisement

"You have to realise that over the last 36 hours, there has been those meetings with Eamon Ryan, there has been clarification on certain issues.

"The Dáil vote was basically a set up to embarrass the government, there was nothing concrete in it.

"I think from the Fianna Fáil perspective, and I'm sure Fine Gael as well, that we will now be engaging with the Minister in terms of the legislation and ensuring what we want in there will be looked after.

Advertisement