A farmer involved in turf cutting has said he does it out of necessity to heat his home – not because it is part of his culture.

It comes after the Climate Change Advisory Council urged the Government to help people ditch the open fire.

In its latest report, the council warned Ireland urgently needs to phase out fossil fuels from our homes and workplaces.

Separately, an ESRI study found that solid fuel fires can cause higher levels of depression and anxiety.

Turf cutting at a plot on the Galway-Roscommon border. Image: Henry McKean/Newstalk

Despite the warnings, many people in rural Ireland want to keep the open fireplaces in their homes – with turf cutting remaining a staple in households.

Reporting for Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Henry McKean visited a turf-cutting operation at a bog on the Galway-Roscommon border.

One man told him the turf is for the personal use of families in the area.

"It's drying out now at the moment, it's cut about six weeks," he said.

He said several people "were forced out of their bogs" and now take plots to grow turf for their own use.

"In the future I can see it dying out because new houses now don't use turf, chimneys or anything like that.

"It's going to fade out itself gradually anyway".

Climate Change Advisory Council want people to ditch the open fire. Rural Ireland want the cosy fire to remain in the home with turfcutting remaining a staple in the Irish household. We visit a bog on the Galway Roscommon border, beside the N60 road. @NTBreakfast @NewstalkFM now pic.twitter.com/YMl5uau0JX

— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) July 17, 2024

He said the practice is changing.

"I can't see any harm being done really because the ground that you're leading off there is growing," he said.

"There's plenty of bog left underneath us.

"As you can see, what's in front of us, I won't see it out and the next generation won't either."

Asked if he had a message to those calling for the practice to be halted, he replied: "I wouldn't say anything to them - they're OK, they have gas outside the door, it's piped into their houses.

"If it was here, more people would use it as well".

Turf cutting on a plot on the Galway-Roscommon border. Image: Henry McKean/Newstalk

Another man using turf says he doesn't like it but has to use it.

"I'm just taking a plot of turf and turning it, trying to dry it up," he said.

"I don't like it but I've got to do it. It'll do a good bit for the winter".

He admits the practice will be stopped "in a few years’ time".

"We're well used to it; we're at it all our life".

Turf cutting on a plot on the Galway-Roscommon border. Image: Henry McKean/Newstalk

Another man who rents a space at the bog said he has few alternatives.

"I would [miss it] if we don't get something to replace it," he said.

"I don't love it but what else can I do? We have to have something. I'd say it's more a necessity than a culture.

"People do it because they have to do it, they need to do it".

He said he has to warm his house.

"Everyone's entitled to their point of view but if you need to warm the house, you need to warm the house," he said.

"People in Dublin won't warm it for you".

He added that he will keep footing the turf "as long as it's here".

The sale of turf has been banned since 2022.

Government issued the ban as part of climate-change measures – but people can still cut turf at a designated plot for personal use.

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Main image: Turf cutting on a plot on the Galway-Roscommon border. Image: Henry McKean/Newstalk