Defying EU, Leo rules out further turf-cutting curbs [Video]

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has ruled out placing further restrictions on turf-cutting in the face of legal action from the European Commission, writes Brian Mahon.

The Commission has referred Ireland to the EU Court of Justice after 13 years of warnings over an alleged failure to protect designated bogs from turf-cutting.

Mr Varadkar, whose Government came in for intense criticism two years ago over attempts to curb the sale and distribution of peat under clean air laws, insisted Ireland will fight the case in the courts.

In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, the Commission said it was referring Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to apply the Habitats Directive to protect raised bog and blanket bog sites from turf cutting.

It said the directive required member states to designate their most precious natural habitats and to protect them from harmful activities.

“These sites in Ireland continue …