Nostalgic memories of turf cannot hold back decarbonisation of Midlands, says Hackett

Laois/Offaly Senator Pippa Hackett has said that nostalgic memories of days on the bog and burning turf cannot put the decarbonisation of the Midlands on hold.

Speaking in the Seanad on Monday, the Green Party Minister of State said that she refuses to accept what she said was destructive and populist narrative from some political representatives in the region that decarbonising the midlands “means we are losing something valuable.”

“We are not and I am calling that out because what we are actually doing is gaining,” she said.

“Times are changing and the midlands region is moving on. Nostalgic memories of days on the bog and the smell of burning turf cannot hold us back.”

She continued: “I acknowledge that turf is still an important energy source for some but our children will not be heating their homes with turf or coal or even with oil or gas.

“They will be using electricity and that vital energy will be generated from renewable sources, of which we have an abundance.

“Our children know this because they are environmentally and socially aware and as policymakers and legislators, it is our responsibility to be so too and to make sure they have a future in rural midlands counties such as Laois and Offaly.”

She also said she sees how enthusiastic people in the midlands are about the regeneration of bogs.

“They want to bring tourism to the area, to work in renewable energy and to create people-first and town-centre-first towns in places such as Portlaoise and Tullamore.

“Some would like to keep the likes of Laois and Offaly in the past, forever suppressed, for a few populist, self-serving headlines but I am focused on the future - a clean, green future for which our children will thank us.”

Such a future would allow younger generations to settle and rear their families in an area “that has rejuvenated itself into the vibrant and modern region it deserves to be.”