Aontú Senator Sarah O’Reilly has revealed that almost 1,000 tonnes of peat were imported from Egypt in 2024, according to information provided to Aontú through a Parliamentary Question.
The figures show that while indigenous peat briquette production has been wound down and turf cutting heavily restricted in parts of Ireland, peat continues to be brought into the country from thousands of miles away.
“People in places like Mullagh are told they cannot cut turf, yet it seems to be perfectly acceptable to ship peat in from Egypt,” Senator O’Reilly said.
Senator O’Reilly said the situation highlights a contradiction at the heart of Government policy.
“We closed down indigenous production through Bord na Móna. Jobs were lost and communities were told there was no alternative. Yet we are still importing peat. The environmental impact does not disappear just because production is moved overseas. In fact, when you add transport into the mix, it may well be worse.”
She said rural communities deserve honesty and consistency.
“People feel there is one rule for Irish families and another when it comes to imports. The Government stopped peat production within Ireland but if it is still being used, we need to ask why Irish workers and rural communities were the ones asked to sacrifice. I cannot understand why the Government refuses to acknowledge the importance of indigenous industries in Ireland.
