Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
236. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the report of the working group established to examine the issues identified during the review of the use of horticultural peat will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27138/21]
View answerUnder an independent chairman, Dr. Munoo Prasad, I have established a working group to examine the issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry.
It is comprised of representatives of the relevant Government Departments, State Bodies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and of various sectors within the horticultural industry. It is envisaged that the final recommendations of the chairman will be issued to me within a maximum of 6 months of the establishment of the working group.
The working group has already held a number of meetings. The legislative provisions in relation to horticultural peat extraction and the potential of alternatives to the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry have been discussed at these meetings.
A draft interim report of the chairman is under consideration within the working group.
