The Turf Cutters of Éire will host a public demonstration at Shannonbridge Power Station on Sunday afternoon (November 20 ).
Commencing at 2pm, members of the public are encouraged to gather at the power station and show their support for the reopening of the plant which closed in December 2020.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser this week, Turf Cutters of Éire member, Mick Cantwell, noted that the demonstration was timely given the recent surge in energy prices.
“We are demonstating to maintain our right to continue to cut turf so we can heat our homes and cook our meals. We are also of the view that Shannonbridge Power Station should be reopened, preventing extreme poverty for all living through this present energy crisis,” Mr Cantwell stated.
Shannonbridge Power Station has been the source of much debate in Dáil Éireann in recent times with public representatives requesting Government to give due consideration to the reopening of the plant in reflection of the surge in energy costs and the detrimental financial impact on households.
Speaking in the Dáil, Midlands Deputy Carol Nolan and her Rural Independent Group colleagues moved a private member’s motion aimed at tackling Ireland’s energy security deficits.
Deputy Nolan called on the Government to take urgent measures to negate the impact of the energy crisis, one of which was to reopen the Shannonbridge Power Station.
“We must urgently reopen to full capacity the Shannonbridge Power Station which was senselessly shut down in 2020,” Deputy Nolan asserted.
