The Taoiseach has said people who cut turf and share it with their neighbours will not be penalised by the planned turf cutting ban.
Green Party leader, Minister Eamon Ryan, is meeting with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators this afternoon to discuss the issue.
Sinn Féin has called for the turf cutting ban to be scrapped with Mary Lou McDonald describing it as 'half baked'.
During heated exchanges in the Dáil Taoiseach Micheál Martin said opponents of the ban need to calm down:
"In any event, it's been made crystal clear that people who have bogs, who normally cut their turf, will continue to be able to do that. They will continue to be able to share that with their neighbours. The traditional practices in rural Ireland will continue in relation to turf. You just need a bit of calm, perspective and balance, and all of this and we can resolve this pragmatically".
