Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2021
268. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address the crisis facing the Irish horticulture sector owing to the effective ban on indigenous peat harvesting; if he will seek the immediate publication of the report of the working group on the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53793/21]
View answerMy statutory remit and responsibility as Minister does not include regulation of the harvesting or supply of horticultural peat. However, to assist in addressing the important issues around horticultural peat for domestic purposes, I set up an Independent Working Group under the Chair of Dr. Munoo Prasad. The potential of alternatives to the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry was examined extensively by the group, together with a number of related issues.
I received the final report from the Chair of the Independent Working Group on 20 October. I am considering the report carefully with a view to publishing it in due course. I am very grateful for the work of Dr. Prasad, the members of the working group and all who contributed to the report.
