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

I acknowledge the responsible approach taken by the Deputy and her party on this issue. In my earlier reply I expressed the hope the national plan would be in place by November. That is a realistic goal. We were also dealing with this issue in 2012, but all of our resources were consumed in enforcing the law because otherwise the Commission would have taken us to court and Ireland would have faced huge fines, as we saw in the case of septic tanks. When the Commissioner visited Dublin - I know he also addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht - he expressed satisfaction with the progress we had made and thought we were being serious about the issue. In the past we were obviously not serious, but we are now making progress. However, he warned us that if there was a reversal of the progress we had made, the position would be totally different and that he would have to take a different view. As he admitted, the issue of raised bogs and SACs was attracting more attention in the 27 members states than any other issue. Given that it is the most topical and hottest issue, it is important that we work together to resolve it. We have to find a solution because it will not go away. I have adopted an open approach for all parties and individuals from the turf cutters' and contractors' associations.

The question of compensatory habitats and relocation is being actively examined in conjunction with Bord na Móna. Of the 2,568 applicants for compensation received to date, 766 expressed an interest in relocation. A large number of those who received compensation and did not cut last year are anxious to continue cutting turf, as their fathers and grandfathers have done before them.

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