Minister admits planning system is 'problematic' for the peat sector in Offaly

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, has admitted that the current planning regime for peat extraction is “problematic” and has signalled that he has no objection in principle to removing planning controls on peat harvesting.

The comments were made in response to a parliamentary question from Independent TD for Offaly, Carol Nolan.

They come just weeks after the Taoiseach stated that the Government’s trajectory is “trying to wean ourselves off commercial extraction of peat.”

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Deputy Nolan has repeatedly warned of a potential “stealth ban” on commercial peat production in Offaly and the Midlands, driven by new provisions in the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 that are now hitting small and medium-scale producers who supply the horticulture and mushroom sectors.

In his reply, Minister Browne states: “While I have no objection in principle to exempting peat extraction from the planning system, this would be subject to the activity being regulated by an alternative legislative regime…”

Commenting on the remarks, Deputy Nolan said: “The Minister’s admission confirms what I have been saying for some time; that the dual planning and licensing system is cumbersome, uncertain, and simply unworkable for many operators, especially family contractors and small-to-medium producers.”

“Yet this comes at the very time the Taoiseach has openly confirmed the Government’s long-term goal is to end commercial peat extraction. There is a clear contradiction at the heart of Government policy. On one hand they say the planning system is problematic and they are open to removing controls; on the other, the direction of travel is apparently to shut the industry down.”

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“I welcome the fact that the Minister is open in principle to lifting the planning burden. However, we cannot replace one set of bureaucratic obstacles with another. The Government must get its position straight and move quickly to deliver clear, targeted exemptions for domestic peat harvesting and commercial production for the horticulture sector.”

“The de facto stealth ban currently underway through the expanded licensing rules is already threatening to force small producers out of business, placing rural jobs in jeopardy and forcing the horticulture sector to rely on expensive imported peat.”

“Rural families and contractors have harvested peat for generations. They need a practical, workable framework now, not more legal or environmental policy complexity.”

“There is no point in us growing the economies of the countries we are importing from while our own peat based local economies wither and die through intentional neglect or mixed messaging from government.”

“We must protect domestic production, support local jobs and ensure the agri and horticultural sectors have a secure local supply of peat for generations to come.” Deputy Nolan concluded.