Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 39: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of bog cutting; the restrictions in place; his proposed policy amendments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10278/09]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 75: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the decision to ban turf cutting on designated bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10088/09]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 88: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the decision to ban turf cutting on 32 designated bogs in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10089/09]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 172: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that following his meetings with a group (details supplied) that he and his officials will work in association with turf cutting families to find a feasible solution that will ensure people can maintain their tradition of domestic turf cutting while at the same time protecting the environment in line with European directives. [10587/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 182: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps that have been taken to revise the interpretation of the habitats directive with a view to reducing its bureaucratic application with particular reference to restrictions on such traditional practices as turf cutting for domestic purposes and similar interpretations that have no environmental or beneficial impact in view of the fact that traditional practices have been environmentally friendly and, in particular, keeping in mind that the doctrinaire interpretation of this regulation creates serious antipathy towards national and European institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10388/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 75, 88, 172 and 182 together.

Bogs are important natural habitats and are home to unique ecosystems containing rare flora and fauna. Both blanket bogs and raised bogs are protected habitats under European and Irish law and representative samples have been designated as special areas of conservation, SAC, under the habitats directive or natural heritage areas, NHA, under the wildlife Acts.

Ireland has some of the most ecologically important bogs in the European Union. In 1999, when the first of these sites was designated for nature protection, all commercial cutting on these bogs was stopped and the then Minister granted a ten-year grace for those who were cutting turf for their personal domestic use to find alternative sources of fuel. This period expires this year for 32 raised bog SACs.

Blanket bogs, which occur predominantly on the western seaboard but also in County Wicklow and the midlands, can tolerate a certain amount of turf extraction without compromising their value as habitats. It is envisaged that cutting on blanket bog SACs and NHAs can continue, except in sensitive areas, under the current restrictions, which prohibit commercial extraction and the use of sausage peat cutting machines.

Raised bogs occur predominantly in the midlands. There are over 1,500 raised bogs in the State, of which only 139 are designated for nature protection as SACs or NHAs. The continued cutting of turf, by hand or machine, and associated drainage on these designated raised bogs is incompatible with their preservation. Even with the restrictions in cutting introduced in 1999, over one third of the best bog habitat on these sites has been lost in ten years. More needs to be done if we are to meet our obligation to protect this important habitat.

The habitats directive imposes a legal obligation on the State to take measures to ensure the protection of this essential and irreplaceable part of our natural heritage. In the light of scientific evidence, it would not be appropriate to grant an extension to the derogation in these areas. It is necessary to put arrangements in place to facilitate the transition to a full cessation of turf cutting on 32 raised bogs by the end of this year, and on the remaining number of designated raised bogs in 2012 and 2014. My Department will establish an interdepartmental working group to consider how best to achieve these cessations over the coming years and to assess the resources that will be required. This group will consult with interested parties, and report back to me later this year.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the Minister aware that 97% of the 32 raised bogs designated as SACs are already in State ownership through one or another agency? The remaining 3% of these bogs comprises half-acre plots allocated by the Land Commission. Is the Minister aware that the Corine maps, used to give the calculation that one third of the bogs allegedly evaporated over the past ten years, not only measured degraded bog but cut away bog over the past 100 years? Will the Minister publish or place in the Library the Fernandez report?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy may be aware that his party colleague Deputy Connaughton organised a meeting with me and many of the families involved in the west. I am aware of the sensitives around this issue and I have spoken to those involved. It is an issue that goes back to 1999. I have done everything I can to ensure a fair resolution. The transition phase approach is probably the best.

We need to be careful with this issue. It was exploited irresponsibly at the time of the Lisbon treaty debate. There was a misperception that we were stopping turf cutting on all bogs, including blanket bogs, which was never the case. It is a small number of bogs that are in question. The Deputy pointed out the small percentage in private ownership.

We are trying to resolve this issue in a way that facilitates the tradition of turf cutting but, at the same time, ensures we meet our EU obligations. If we ignore those obligations, we will face substantial fines. That is not the motivating factor behind resolving this matter but we need to be mindful of it.

Ireland has the best raised bog habitats in Europe. I will facilitate any requests the Deputy has on this issue. If he wants to meet with me or have me meet a delegation I would be happy to do so.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Two years ago, an effort was made by departmental personnel to stop turf cutting on the Bragan Mountains in north Monaghan, affecting over 200 farmers. A resolution was found to the problem then but it will re-emerge again soon. I would like to take up the Minister in his commitment to facilitate Members in examining the problem in this area, particularly considering the current economic climate, difficulties with farm incomes and the dependence on turf as a winter fuel. I would like to work with the Minister to discover if we might arrive at a solution to this problem.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's question is specific and might be worthy of——

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The cutting of turf is important to people and it is vital that a solution be arrived at.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The specific information the Deputy is requesting might not be available to the Minister.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am not aware of the specific instance to which Deputy Crawford refers. However, we have tried to resolve the disputes that have arisen. There is a scheme in operation which involves the voluntary purchase of designated bogs and under which more than €7 million was paid out last year. The interdepartmental group to which I referred earlier will examine the additional measures necessary to achieve a complete cessation of cutting on raised bogs that are designated as SHCs or NHAs.

Quite a number of Deputies have taken an interest in this subject and I will keep them well informed with regard to anything that emerges from the deliberations of the interdepartmental group in the coming weeks and months. The transition to a full cessation of cutting will take place in respect of 32 raised bogs this year. However, there are some 139 raised bogs in total that have been designated and the transition in respect of the remainder will occur in 2012 and 2014.

We also have the option of providing turf cutters with other plots. This option may not suit everyone but it is open for consideration. We will examine the various options that exist and it is hoped that a satisfactory resolution will be reached.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the context of alternative plots, the Minister might consult his Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, who will explain to him the difference between black, brown and white turf.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

One would not get such a variety of turf in Ringsend.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I acknowledge the offer the Minister made in respect of our meeting to discuss this matter. Is he aware of the fact that a number of people in east Galway carried out a study in respect of almost half of the bogs covered by the Fernandez report? This study shows that Fernandez overestimates the loss of bogs by at least 93%. In light of the Minister's acknowledgement that approximately 3% of bogs are in non-State ownership, how is it possible that one third of bogs have disappeared over a ten-year period? Carrowbehy bog in County Roscommon has grown by almost 13%. Even though most of Cloonshanville bog, with which the Minister of State is familiar, is in State ownership, it is alleged that 5.25% of it has disappeared over the ten year period during which very little turf cutting took place.

The figures which are being presented and on which the Minister is basing his decisions simply do not stand up to scrutiny. Everyone accepts the need for preservation. However, I again ask him to reconsider the position in respect of the small percentage of bogs that are not in State ownership.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would be happy to investigate the claims made by the Deputy. However, the national parks and wildlife service, NPWS, is clear as to what is required. The NPWS liaises, at all times, with the Commission, which is adamant that we have overstepped the mark to a major degree and that we have been given a great deal of latitude. The cessation to which I referred earlier was unilaterally declared by Ireland, which, as such, was taking a liberty in making such a declaration.

We are facing into a difficult situation. Perhaps the Deputy might put his claims to the interdepartmental group in order that they might be examined and their validity or otherwise established. Claims and counter-claims have been made and there is a need to establish the actual facts. As already stated, the NPWS has made it clear that there has been a sharp deterioration in the quality of our raised bogs, which, as far as it is concerned, are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister and I will have to agree to disagree on this matter.