Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 31, 46 and 52 together.

Last April, together with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, I met Commissioner Potočnik in Brussels where we secured his support for developing a national raised bog special area of conservation, SAC, management plan. This was in keeping with the recommendations of Justice Quirke following the Peatlands Forum and the motion agreed unanimously by Dáil Éireann on 7 March 2012.

The proposed approach to the development of the national plan is available on my Department's website. The plan will provide for the long-term protection of Ireland's raised bog SACs, address the needs of turf cutters and can unlock the flexibility available for dealing with the most difficult of bogs within the terms of the habitats directive.

Following a request for tenders, my Department is assessing proposals from prospective teams of consultants who will undertake the necessary scientific work to inform the future restoration and management of each of the SACs. Draft proposals for each of the sites will be discussed with affected landowners as part of this process.

The detailed exploration of relocation sites is a key element in progressing the national plan. In collaboration with the peatland council and with the assistance of Bord na Móna, my Department is actively engaging with turf cutting communities to consider how relocation can be progressed.

Some 766 applicants for compensation to my Department have indicated an interest in relocation. Arrangements for the relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs have been finalised or are close to finalisation for groups from four raised bog SACs. Out of the remaining 49 raised bog SACs, potential relocation sites have been identified for a further 31 SACs and work is ongoing on investigating these sites. Relocation is unlikely to be required or is likely to be on a small scale in respect of another 15 raised bog SACs owing, for example, to the small number of turf cutters who have been active on these sites. Options for the remaining sites are also being investigated. If, following an in-depth examination, there is a small number of SACs where there are genuinely no alternatives in terms of relocation, the national plan may, as I mentioned, be able to provide some flexibility in this regard.

I am determined that, in collaboration with the peatland council and local turf cutting communities, substantial progress will be made on the plan in the coming months. My Department has stepped up contact with turf cutting groups to seek long-term solutions for their bogs, in compliance with EU and national law. I hope the national plan can be completed by November in time to submit an application to the European Commission under Article 6(4) of the habitats directive prior to the 2014 turf cutting season, if required. However, the engagement and agreement of turf cutting communities with the proposed approaches will be essential in meeting this timeline and unlocking the potential flexibility it offers.

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