Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will stick to my questions and list them three or four in a row. The mechanism now for determining which will be included in the list of 46 is a bog-by-bog comparison. Mr. Lucas mentioned restoration potential but rewetting potential and the benefits of potential rewetting were not considered. In response to my colleague, who asked about the SACs, Mr. Lucas was very clear because this Bill also allows for a similar bog versus bog comparator regarding the de-designation of blanket bogs. Mr. Lucas outlined a very lengthy process in respect of raised bogs. There has been no equivalent process for blanket bogs. Mr. Lucas said that the Department would not want to look for any system of management. In fact, it does not even want to move ahead with the management of SACs blanket bogs, which is mandatorily required by the habitats directive, without consultation and directives. However, it is proposing a mechanism that can allow for the de-designation of blanket bogs in advance of having had such a consultation so it seems that it is ready to run ahead on the legislation in terms of natural heritage area blanket bogs even though it has not delivered on its requirements in terms of special area of conservation blanket bogs. I note that it is not in the gift of the Department to de-designate SACs so it probably cannot be claimed as a virtue.