The Government has been accused of treating turf like an illegal drug.
Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae also told the Dáil that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil were 'losing rural Ireland' over the issue.
It came during a debate on a Sinn Féin motion, calling for a ban on the sale of turf to be scrapped.
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It's due to be introduced in September, but Deputy Healy-Rae says Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has lost the plot.
"Eamon Ryan is the Minister for car pooling and all of us walking to our village," he added.
"The Minister who has his foot firmly in his mouth from early morning until late at night.
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"He and his party are an embarrassment to the environmental movement in Ireland."
