Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. The reality is that in the vast majority of cases, potential relocation sites have not been found. While the Minister talked at length about the issue of compensation, as he will know, for the vast majority of genuine turf cutters the issue of compensation does not arise because all they want is to be able to continue to cut turf.

On 28 January I asked the Minister when we would have the list of the further 25 NHA-designated sites. He told me on that occasion that public notices would issue shortly. It is now June and they have not issued. He has said it will be some time before the end of the year. When will people know what additional sites are to be designated?

Second, in the light of the review carried out and the report published at the beginning of the year which clearly showed that some of the designations as NHAs were flawed and in the light of the fact that the Department has allowed 117 individuals to cut turf in Tullaher Lough SAC in County Clare, will the Minister now agree that we must review the complete ban on turf cutting in SACs and go back to the drawing board?

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