PRESS RELEASE

16th February 2012

Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA)

16th Feb 2012

The Turf cutters and Contractors Association welcomes the press statement issued by the chairman of the Peatlands Council, Conor Skeehan. The TCCA has stuck to its policy of ensuring that the most difficult bogs are resolved first.

“Now is the time for the turf cutters to stand together as a united force. We will not simply accept a solution that involves relocation only.” said TCCA chairperson Michael Fitzmaurice, adding “we need every turf cutter in the country to let their public representatives know that we are united in getting a solution for ALL turf cutters, their support is paramount right now.”

We are protesting at the Dáil on March the 7th when I will present a Private Members Motion calling on all Dáil Deputies to vindicate our rights. We have submitted a comprehensive set of proposals with a range of potential solutions. It would be incorrect to focus on just one option.

In this long protracted issue there is at last recognition from those tasked with finding a solution, that turf cutters in bogs where relocation is not an option will have their cases prioritised and fully dealt with. We welcome the statement form the Chairperson of the Peatlands Council.

“It is critical to recognise that partial solutions will be unacceptable to turf-cutting communities. For this reason it is imperative to give priority to those bogs where relocation is unlikely to be an option. I am advising all parties – cutters and officials – that work must commence immediately on finding solutions for these bogs – as the first priority. At the highest levels – both in Ireland and Europe - all options must be exhaustively explored for these bogs - with and on behalf of the communities on these bogs.”

Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan TD
PRO for the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association

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URGENT!

Friends,

It is important that as many people as possible register their objection to the EU & Government's attempt to interfere with our Rights to our Bogs (& now our Farms as well).

Therefore, I am asking all my friends to make Individual Submissions, ...
and I also ask that you spread the word and encourage others to make submissions also.

To make it easier, I have included a suggested Template Submission below.
People may just send it in as it is, send an amended version, or send a completely different submission. Either way, it is vital that people make a submission !!!!

Individuals may make their Submissions to the e-Mail Address listed,or by ordinary post to the postal address included.

Persons who do not have access to e-mail can make Individual Submissions by post.

I have also attached a Microsoft Word Document copy of the Template Individual Submission, which can be printed off to easily enable people who do not have a computer to make a submission.

When persons sign the submission I would suggest that they just give a general address, so as to avoid giving the NPWS too much information.

All Submissions need to be sent in before the end of January, so there really isn't any time to lose.

Thank you.

Regards

Tom Ward.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SAMPLE SUBMISSION

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TCCA PRESS RELEASE
05-DEC-2011

RE: Request for Written Submissions on Peatlands Strategy.

CLICK HERE TO READ IT

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PRESS RELEASE
TCCA RESPONSE TO GOVERNMENT COMPENSATION PACKAGE
25th OCT 2011

CLICK HERE TO READ IT

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Welcome to the TCCA

A voluntary group based in the west of Ireland which is opposed to a European Union (EU) directive to outlaw turf cutting on family bogs.

Chairmans Address

Firstly I would like to thank you for visiting our web-site. I would like to point out that we are fully in favour of conservation and have proved beyond any doubt that turf cutting & conservation can co-exist. Even the most extreme opponents of domestic turf cutting have admitted that our bogs that are designated are the most pristine in Europe, if not the world. It’s a credit to the people over the generations for the way they have kept their bogs.

I hope when you visit this site you can understand the difference between domestic turf cutting, where people only take enough for the annual supply for the family home and commercial operations where huge amounts are extracted. Bear in mind that the State owns 92% of these bogs and 1 acre will last domestic cutters approx 300 years effectively giving us our own little oil well & fuel security. Thus avoiding another problem in Ireland at the moment fuel poverty.

The TCCA was setup to fight for the right of the continuation of domestic turf cutting in Ireland. It was also to represent the people affected by the Habitats Directive which was passed into Irish law in 1997 by Minister of the day Michael D Higgins thus creating SACs(Special Areas of Conservation) and later in 2001 a Finna Fail coalition government enacted the Wild Life act which created NHAs (National Heritage Areas).

There is a real threat from Europe and The Irish Government to grab another Natural Resource from the indigenous people of this country but this appears to be the one that will break the camels back.

I would ask that you join with us in our journey to protect the rights of the good people of Ireland be it through membership, supporting meetings, adding your voice on the radio, joining our facebook page, or making your local politician aware of the wrong-doing that is going on.

There are solutions to this problem but sadly no one seems to be listening. Common sense will resolve this issue in an orderly fashion.

But may I state categorically that bullying, threats or intimidation will NOT be tolerated against any of our members.

If you have any questions or comments please get in touch through the 'contact us' page.

Nil aon thintean mar do thintean fein,
Le Mass Michael Fitzmaurice.


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