Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

I welcome most of what the Minister has said and have some questions that arise from his answer. Regarding bog lands and Coillte owned lands, there is a great deal of land designated as special areas of conservation and national heritage areas. These areas supposedly cannot be used for the cutting of turf but this is not being enforced yet. The bog lands and forest parks can be developed for walkways and they can also benefit the area of education. The Government could lead an initiative, bringing various Departments together, to ensure that disused bog lands do not become dumping grounds and are properly looked after with footpaths and so on. Schools could send groups for educational tours of such areas and they will benefit people living in cities and the countryside. This could be a great initiative, and it is happening in some forests, but we should make plans for bog lands that will be left. In many cases only 40 to 50 hectares are in question and they will become dumping grounds if they are not seen to.

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