Energy park and amenity use potential for Laois bogs around Portlaoise

Bord na Móna is interested in developing Laois bogs around Portlaoise as a local amenity and the company may also be considering using some of the cutaway bog near the town as the location for a renewable energy park,

So claimed Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley after he and a delegation from his party met this week with the senior management team of State-owned company.

National, regional and local issues were raised with the company which controls substantial tracts of lands in Laois which was formerly used for peat production.

“One of the main issues I raised with them is the future of the Cúil Na Mona Plant at Togher along with the three bogs in Laois Cúil na Móna,  Coolnacartan and Cashel. In particular I used the opportunity to press the case for employment creation in the area along with the need for community gain through recreational, leisure and tourism amenities.

"The CEO responded positively to our proposals for a greenway (walking trail) along the existing narrow gauge rail line that connects Cúil na Móna Bog through to the factory at Togher. They are very open to proposals for such a project and agreed to explore it further.

"I also raised the possibility of keeping a section of the rail line in place for a rail tourism project. This has some potential in terms of forming part of a cluster of visitor attractions in Laoism," he said.

Dep Stanley told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that while it may not be possible to retain all the lines which date back to the 1960s, he said some could be used as the entire track is not located on bog land. He said this section of track could once again be used for trains to bring visitors to see the bogland which likely will be rehabilitated and rewetted.

"Tom Donnellan assured us that the partnership with the ICL Company to remove the remaining peat that’s already harvested on the bogs, remains on track. This will facilitate rewetting of the bogs for carbon sequestration and along with having positive environmental benefits, it will also create a small number of jobs," he said. More below picture of train on Portlaoise bog.

Dep Stanley said Laois must benefit from the millions of euro available under the Just Transition fund.

"Laois has had little so far by way of a ‘just transition’ from peat harvesting to green energy and this was pointed out to the company management. Over 300 people would have been employed at any given time by Bord na Móna in the County during the 1960s and right through to the 1990s. Landowners that adjoin the three bogs cooperated with the ‘Bord’ to facilitate drainage works etc. What is needed now is for the company to keep this in mind in any future developments on their lands in Laois,” he said.

Speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live he said the company is also exploring potential sites for the production of renewable energy. Dep Stanley said the company had indicated that the Laois bogs may be suitable for electricity from wind and sun.

"Sinn Féin view this as important, due to Bord na Móna being a publicly owned State company with huge resources here in the Midlands and the fact that it now aims to provide a quarter of the State’s electricity from renewable sources.’’

The Portlaoise-based TD Brian Stanley said the meeting with Bord na Móna was one of the party's regular meetings with the CEO Tom Donnellan and the management team to discuss the company’s strategy for jobs, sustainable energy and benefits for Midland communities.

“Sinn Féin will continue to use our political influence to ensure that Bord na Móna and other semi state companies are kept in Public ownership and continue to provide jobs in Laois / Offaly,’’ he said.

County Councillors have recently encouraged Laois County Council to work with Bord na Móna to repurpose the bogs near Portlaoise as amenity sites for visitors and locals. They want the State company to retain rail tracks so that greenways can be established.