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

Ireland signed up to the habitats directive in 1992 and transposed it into law in 1997. Assessments were carried out on several bogs and, initially, 32 bogs were designated. The European Commission asked for other bogs to be added to the designation. Scientific surveys have proved these bogs are precious and have the largest amount of active raised bogs in them. To change a SAC designation would require a natural disaster such as a landslide.

There is some flexibility in Article 6(4) of the habitats directive. I am appealing to turf-cutters to look at this consultation document to see if it gives an opportunity to deal with this. I will take this matter to Europe but it has to be part of an overall package for the 53 bogs. The Commission will not entertain any proposals to re-designate a site if there has been cutting on a bog.

The Commission has welcomed our approach. There is an ideal opportunity offered by the consultation documents to examine the bogs and limited turf-cutting.

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