Proposals for an outright 'cliff-edge' ban on the commercial sale of turf has sparked some serious concern.

Fianna Fáil representative Barry Cowen has confirmed he will meet with Environment Minister Eamon Ryan to voice his concerns.

Deputy Cowen said: "I'll be seeking to ensure that there is a means of recognising the long-standing relationship between many households and commercial cutters without a cliff-edge ban on the transaction between the two.

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"We can live with the banning of sales at filling stations, retail outlets or the side of the road, but there should be an allowance made for dependent households and bogowners/cutters."

The Offaly TD added: "Some commercial turf-cutters have annual customers in localities where many homeowners don't have their own plot and rely on these suppliers. It is those families and those providers who are impacted by a commercial sale ban. 

"We have to try to see if some agreement can be reached for the phasing out of commercial sales in such instances, rather than the proposal being suggested. It is important to make the point that proposals, while not finalised, do not impact on people continuing to cut turf for their own use.

"Ultimately, we need a phasing out by agreement, whereby a just transition is realised with realistic and cost-efficient alternatives being made available for those impacted by proposals."