There's no question that people will continue to be able to heat their homes with turf from their own bogs, according to the Tánaiste.
It follows concern this week that cars and property could be searched by local authorities and potentially seize turf under new legislation.
Michael Martin was responding to queries from Sligo Leitrim Independent TD Marian Harkin in the Dail.
He described the idea of searches as scaremongering to an extraordinary degree:
