Councillor John Kelly is calling on the Government to challenge the European Union on what many perceive as a flawed Habitats Directive whereby Irish people can no longer cut their own turf. At a recent Independent Conference in Athlone, Councillor Kelly raised this issue with both Marian Harkin and Kathy Sinnott, MEPs, and they informed him that they were challenging this European decision

but without the support from other Irish party colleagues in the parliament.

Kelly states that at a time when it’s clear that much Government advise has led us into troubled waters and the people are being asked to bail out the Government it is his belief that we have an indigenous right to continue cutting our turf and is asking the Government to stop listening to their civil servants on these issues and start listening to the people.

Cllr John Kelly