Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are scaling up what we are doing with the bogs. The Living Bog project provides for restoration incentives, including compensation, voluntary land purchase and management land agreements under the protected raised bog incentive scheme, which is operating on a pilot basis this year. It would also provide for sensitively designated amenities at a small number of project sites, such as walking trails and signage. There is also a review of the raised bog natural heritage area network, which was published in January 2014 and concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focus protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This entails the cessation from 1 January 2017 of turf-cutting on 36 existing natural heritage areas which will remain designated. This includes seven sites to be divided, with part to be conserved and part designated. I appreciate the Deputy's points. We have to do all we can to ensure that we look after this area.

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