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

First, the Minister should tell whoever wrote that reply for her that one so-called SAC site in the country is all that has ever been sorted, and part of another one in Carrownagappul in Mountbellew. The Minister can tell them that, if they do not happen to know it themselves.

Second, I am not talking about so-called special areas of conservation. I am talking about natural heritage areas. We all know that some bogs are to be de-designated, but the Minister should bear one thing in mind. I have been hearing about legislation for a full year, yet every time I ask the National Parks and Wildlife Service about this legislation it seems to be further and further away. Can the Minister confirm when that legislation will be introduced for de-designation of the 45 bogs she mentioned?

One question has been evaded every time I ask it. We know that some people will take compensation, which is their right. The Minister said that 11 people were seeking relocation. However, the Minister can tell the person who wrote the reply that most people are still cutting in NHAs because they are not being asked to come off them until the beginning of 2017.

Can the Minister say to those people who want to continue with their tradition, and who are willing to say they will go down the road a mile or up the road a mile or go together in one corner of a bog, that they will not be banned from cutting their turf until the Department, which has basically done nothing with regard to relocation for 15 or 16 years, has a new site for them to cut turf on or congregate them together in the bog? That is all they are asking; they are not saying anything else.

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