Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Coolrain bog is one of the 53 bogs referred to by the Minister and no solution has been put forward to accommodate the 70 or more turf cutters on it. Scientific research shows that the bog only ranks as moderate in terms of habitat quality and that out of a total of 51 ha of raised bog, less than one hectare can be restored. This is based on a survey conducted in 2003 and does not take into account work on the bog since then. In fact, the area that can now be restored is less than one hectare. The only other small bog suitable for turf cutting, Knockacoller bog was also designated as an SAC during the term of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government. Would the Minister agree that the solution here is to remove the SAC status from Coolrain bog and to use Abbeyleix bog as a compensatory habit? The latter bog is larger, with over 99 ha of raised bog. A larger area is active and a larger area is restorable. There is no turf cutting taking place on Abbeyleix bog and the local community wants to preserve it for education and tourism purposes.

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