2LT National News
Report: Japan, Australia importing 500,000 tons of Irish peat
Dec 28, 2022
DUBLIN, Ireland: While Ireland has banned the sale or burning of peat by Irishmen, the country continues exporting peat to Japan and Australia.
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has confirmed that “hundreds of thousands of tons” of peat are exported every year.
In Ireland, the Green Party has largely been responsible for outlawing the burning of peat for home heating.
Beginning in October 2022, Irish peat products were no longer being sold to homeowners in Ireland. However, peat products from countries such as Germany are still found in Irish shops.
Those outlawing the burning of peat in Ireland have said the ban is designed to reduce harmful emissions.
The data journalism website noteworthy.ie recently reported that more than 500,000 tons of peat were exported from Ireland last year.
When questioned about this, Ryan said “There’s a bigger issue, a more immediate issue and that’s.. look at the air quality problem we had in Tralee last week,” as quoted by the Irish Mirror.
“Look at the ongoing air quality problems we’ve had in a number of towns, particularly around the country, which is killing people,” he added, according to the Irish Mirror.
