Roscommon/Galway Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice is giving a cautious welcome to a new report recommending the resumption of peat harvesting for a 10 year period.
An independent report, which has yet to be published, is advising that the harvesting of peat for the horticulture, and food growing sectors here should be brought back for a limited time.
The report comes from a working group which was set up to examine the problems caused by new planning regulations on harvesting any bog land over 100 acres.
Thousands of tonnes of peat have already been imported into the country this year and this has been widely criticised.
Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice says allowing peat harvesting to resume would provide a breathing specie to allow alternative growing methods to be found.
He says the government will have to be very careful in whatever legislation they draw up if they agree to the recommendations.
