Mattie McGrath Demands Full Debate on Turf and Rural Issues
Mattie McGrath called for a full debate on agriculture and rural issues, defending traditional turf use and criticizing the tone of recent messaging. He argued people with their own bogs could continue cutting turf and said there would be no ban this winter.
Call for agricultural debate
McGrath urged the President of the Business Committee to schedule a comprehensive debate on agriculture, the pig industry and wider rural concerns. He said the attack on rural Ireland needs to be addressed in full and repeated that a full debate is necessary.
Defence of traditional turf use
He insisted that people who own their bogs face no restriction in using their turf and can share turf with neighbours under traditional practices. McGrath rejected claims that turf use would be halted, stressing there is "no issue this winter" in terms of timelines.
Reaction to ministers and media commentary
McGrath criticised Minister Ryan and others for what he described as alarmist rhetoric, referencing phrases about "locking up grannies" and comments made on RT. He also noted the Taoiseach had acknowledged burning turf himself while urging opponents to moderate their language.
Critique of campaign messaging
He accused some deputies and campaigners of repeatedly telling rural people they have been "deprived" and "destroyed," saying the line was overused but effective. McGrath called for perspective, telling colleagues to "relax a bit" and arguing the substance of the issue had been misunderstood.
Questions over expert claims
McGrath disputed an expert claim reported on RT that people were burning wet turf, saying such turf would not burn and suggesting critics were "on a different planet." He repeated his position that traditional practices will continue and appealed for a calm, factual debate.
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The President of the Business Committee for weeks now to have a full and comprehensive debate on agriculture, the pig industry, you name it, and you said earlier you thought we'd come back relaxed after Easter, we would only for the mud and turf show at every radio station with Minister Ryan talking about locking up grannies and locking up anybody giving back a turf to their neighbours, so we need a full debate on agriculture and the attack that's going on in rural Ireland, the Taoiseach doesn't seem to think that this is doing grand, and he acknowledges that he burned turf himself, but we want a debate on this, and they created this mess, the honourses said he'd like taking wine off the people in France, the turf, kind of a nice catchphrase, the teacher said he'd pour oil in troubled waters, and anyway some expert on RT the other day saying that we were burning wet turf, I tell you if you had to get in a petal you couldn't burn a sort of wet turf, so you're on a different planet, so we need a debate on agriculture and all things rural that's going on here. I thought the aromatic flavour of wine was more berry-like, and whiskey was more peace, you know. I think you all need to relax a bit. The issue would be that people will not be stopped from using their own turf. I don't know how many times I have to say it in the House, it disappoints you that I say it, because you want to believe that there will be, it's a great campaign, it's fantastic. Keep running it on lads, keep jumping up. Let's tell the people of rural Ireland, you've been deprived, you'll have nothing, you've been destroyed, it's a great line, and you've played it over and over again, and you'll continue to play it over and over again, because it kind of works for you now and again. But the substance of the issue is this, the substance of the issue is this, people who have their own bogs, no issue in terms of using turf. They can share turf with their neighbours, the traditional practices in relation to turf will continue. This winter, no issue, no issue this winter at all. So that's, because all of the arguments have been no is not the time, it shouldn't happen this winter, it won't happen this winter anyway, in terms of timelines. So I just have to make that point, and I apologise to the deputies if, you know, if it's not the time, it shouldn't happen this winter, it won't happen this winter anyway, in terms of timelines. So I just have to make that point, and I apologise to the deputies if, you know, if you're trying to, let's have a sense of perspective about it, but you don't want to entertain that at all, that's fine. But I think you're over the top in terms of your presentation.
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