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Inishowen returns to turf as oil soars  30.05.08

PEOPLE in Inishowen are returning to 'the hill' to cut turf as oil prices soar, according to a local senator.
And turf cutters in the peninsula can continue harvesting the peat fuel for their own personal use and must cut by hand.
Senator Cecilia Keaveney received clarification on the turf-cutting issue this week from Rural Affairs Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv.
"He confirmed that no one will be forced to stop cutting the blanket bog for their own use but they should not use the machine. There had been some mis-information coming back to me that all turf cutting was ceasing and this was all to do with Europe.
"The clarification is that raised bogs, which are a small number of bogs
Hand cut turf like this is still allowed.
in some counties other than Donegal, are being protected. Those who would have cut in raised bogs are being bought out. However, in Donegal, we have blanket bogs and the only form of protection is that turf is to be cut for personal use and the sausage machine is not acceptable for environmental reasons," explained Senator Keaveney.
Machine cut turf will become a thing of the past in Inishowen. She stressed that there was no buy-out scheme planned for Donegal's blanket bog turf cutters.
"This clarification will relieve many people who have been eager to get back to cutting turf as other fuel sources rise in price.
"This is very important also for people who see hand cut turf as more environmentally friendly
than other fuels. Indeed those cutting turf over recent weeks have experienced great weather for the job and it is easy to spot those who have done some time on the hill with their tans.
"They also would say that the hills have never been busier with many returning to the old reliable. However, there is no easy day on the hill and it may be a while before we can sell it as a tourism 'Day Out'," quipped Senator Keaveney.
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