Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In light of the fact that there are probably six to seven months, at most, left in the present Government's term of office, will the Minister give an undertaking that the closure of parts or all of the natural heritage area, NHA, bogs around the country proposed for the beginning of 2017 will not proceed unless alternative turf-cutting locations have been provided? We have seen the ongoing debacle with the so-called special areas of conservation, or SACs. Could common sense prevail so that those who want to continue exercising their right to cut turf are allowed to do so until relocation sites beside, near or on part of a bog are available?

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