Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In November 2015, the European Commission approved funding for a €5.4 million project under the EU LIFE 2014-2020 programme for the restoration of active raised bogs in 12 special areas of conservation, SAC, sites in Ireland. This project will operate for five years and it commenced in January 2016. It is being implemented by a project team that will work closely with local communities and stakeholders. In advance of the restoration works commencing, there will be community awareness and an education element to this project.

The main objective of the 2014 NHA review was to consider how the network could contribute to our conservation objectives for raised bog habitats while avoiding unintended impacts on the traditional rights of landowners and turf cutters while minimising the cost arising from compensation payments. The reconfiguration of the raised bog NHA network, which the Bill will facilitate, is based on sound scientific evidence and will have a positive impact on the network. This de-designation of bogs proposed in the legislation will have a better outcome for both turf cutters and the environment.

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