'Government out of touch with rural communities' - Clarke

The government must reverse its proposed ban on the sale of turf, Deputy Sorca Clarke says.

Deputy Clarke told the Westmeath Examiner that the proposed ban, “is yet another sign that the government is out of touch with rural communities”.

“Sinn Féin will oppose this measure. We will continue to advocate for climate action and public health measures that do not penalise those without alternatives,” she said.

Speaking in the Dáil recently Deputy Clarke said that the recent rise in the cost of living is having a “ profound and negative impact” on families in rural areas.

“Maintaining a basic standard of living is beyond the reach of some and it is a real and growing challenge for far too many people.

“I want to go back to the latest report of Barnardos which states that one quarter of families fear they will not be able to feed their children because it is getting harder to put food on the table. Some 19% of respondents said they had skipped meals so they could feed their families and children. More must be done now.

“For months Sinn Féin has been warning the government about the cost of living and it has shown the Government how it can be done. I heard the minister on the radio saying that he appreciates the difficulties but he must also then appreciate how ludicrous it is to tell people who are in these desperate situations that they must wait until October.

“While the Government continues to bury its head in the sand, hardworking people are struggling daily and making the choice whether their families should be cold or hungry. That is bordering on Dickensian,” she said.