The level of fearmongering directed at ordinary people across Ireland who use solid fuel to heat their homes has reached new and nauseating levels.
That’s according to Aontú Senator Sarah O’ Reilly says she was horrified to see a government backed social media campaign the ‘dangers’ of burning solid fuel like coal, sticks and turf.
Speaking in the Seanad the Cavan Monaghan Senator said,
“This really put the hairs standing on the back of my neck when I saw it. It claims that lighting an open fire or stove causes harmful emissions that linger in the air, harming your health and the health of your family, neighbours and community. It goes onto allege that burning solid fuels in an open fire or stove harms everyone’s health, but children, older people, pregnant women, and those with underlying conditions are most at risk. It goes onto to state that if people don’t need to light an open fire or stove to heat their homes it’s best to leave it unlit.
The choice created by this advert is – sit in the cold and freeze or feel guilty for trying to stay warm and cosy by lighting a fire to keep warm and keep healthy, thereby inadvertently, but slowly killing your neighbours and friends.
So, there we have it —the government level of fearmongering writ large – people who light fires are a public danger.
I find this absolutely abhorrent, but it is typical of this Government who are brilliant at diktats but appalling at actually delivering anything meaningful for the people of Ireland. This is just the latest in string of efforts by this hapless Government to frighten ordinary people into submission.
I find this appalling at any time, but when people are fighting the ever-rising cost of living crisis, I think it is both unconscionable and irresponsible.
All over this country we have people living below the poverty line and struggling to manage the cost of living. Over ¼ of people aged 65 and over live alone, and those living alone face the highest poverty risk of all.
My advice to anyone sitting at home trying to keep warm is LIGHT YOUR FIRE and don’t be left waiting for the HSE or some NGO to notify you that you might be catching hypothermia.
Instead of frightening the lives out of people this Government needs to act like a government and focus on spiralling energy costs rather than preachy campaigns telling us not to light fires”.
