A senior member of the Green party in County Leitrim , believes new rules on turf are being introduced to protect people's health.
A row has developed in government between Eamon Ryan and Leo Varadkar over plans to stop the sale and distribution of turf from September 1st.
The Tanaiste says plans to ban the sale of turf are not paused, because they haven't even been agreed.
However, the Environment Minister insisted this morning that the measures, proposed to come into effect on September 1st, will go ahead.
Blaithin Gallagher told the Joe Finnegan Show that the ban is aimed at people illegally cutting bogs and then selling the turf.
''These regulations are not going to be stopping people cutting their own turf. They're not gonna be stopping people giving turf to their neighbors, but they are proposing stopping people selling it. They couldn't stop the smoky coall ban without bringing in the turf legislation in as well, because turf is also a huge polluter.''
