Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will confirm if any raised bog obtained or will obtain Favourable Conservation Status under the EU Habitats Directive to allow the continuation of turf cutting. [16486/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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When surveyed in 2005, six of Ireland's 55 raised bog special areas of conservation, SACs, were found to be in favourable conservation status. These were generally sites where significant restoration work had been undertaken and no significant turf extraction was taking place.

Most of Ireland's 55 raised bog SACs have not reached favourable conservation status. This is as a result of a number of pressures on these sites, including drainage and turf cutting. Turf cutting, and the drainage necessary for it to take place, detract from the conservation value of these sites in two ways. First, turf extraction directly removes the habitat for which these sites are protected; namely, degraded raised bog capable of restoration. Second, the drainage associated with turf cutting has a negative impact on active raised bog - that part of the bog where peat is still forming. Drainage causes the active part of the bog to contract. The impacts of drainage can extend well into the dome of the bog, causing significant habitat loss. Ending turf cutting on these sites, along with undertaking restoration work to reverse some of the impacts of drainage, will significantly enhance the prospects of achieving favourable conservation status for these bogs. On the whole, turf cutting and the associated drainage required are incompatible with the conservation of raised bog SACs and attainment of favourable conservation status for these sites.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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What criteria were applied when the levels of compensation payable to affected turf cutters were being decided on? Was appropriate consideration given to the possibility that some of those affected may be forced into fuel poverty this winter? The Minister mentioned that 55 bogs are special areas of conservation and 75 bogs are natural heritage areas. Can he tell the House where the other 40 bogs are and explain how he intends to deal with them? The report to which I refer was prepared for the EU Environment Commissioner.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The agreed level of compensation - €1,000 per annum for a maximum of 15 years - was calculated in consultation with Bord na Móna and is based on the amount of money an ordinary household would spend on the extraction of peat for fuel in advance of each winter. I understand the total cost to the Exchequer over that period will be approximately €22 million. It is a fair cost to the Exchequer. These people have to be compensated. I will clarify the rules governing eligibility for compensation. To qualify, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have a legal interest in or over the land in question and that they were cutting turf on that land during the five years in question. The payments will be limited to one applicant per bog plot. I am aware that some people may have problems in meeting these requirements. Those who do not meet these conditions but feel they have a right to compensation should apply for the scheme and explain their situations. Such cases will be considered on an individual basis. If one's application is declined, one will have the right to appeal to the Peatlands Council, which will make recommendations to me.

Deputy McLellan is aware that this measure has been imposed on us by the EU. It is important that I clarify this. We have been threatened with huge fines. I was entrusted with this matter eight weeks ago. In that time, I have put together a Peatlands Council and tried to do something about it. Nothing had been done about this issue since 1998. If it had been addressed, we would not be in this position. We are trying to do something about it now. We have put a compensation scheme in place. We are trying to examine alternative turf extraction choices.

I thank Deputy Flanagan and all the other Deputies who have helped out in this respect. A definite effort is being made to find a solution to this problem. It is not that easy to do so.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate what the Minister has said on the question of raised bogs generally. What is the role of Bord na Móna with regard to finding alternatives to the 31 areas where turf cutting will cease? What is the position?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The case of Clara is an example of a very good solution. Bord na Móna owned a bog nearby. There is a bog interpretation centre in Clara village. People can visit that. Clara Bog itself is being preserved. An alternative has been offered to people. That allows them to engage in turf cutting in a well organised fashion. Clara is a very good example of how people can be accommodated. Rangers from the National Parks and Wildlife Service are working with people throughout the country to try to find alternative sites. People like Mr. Mike Fitzmaurice are working with departmental officials and people like Mr. Conor Skehan of the Peatlands Council to try to find alternatives. A serious effort is being made to accommodate people by finding alternative locations for turf cutting. This difficulty is shared by the Department, the recently established Peatlands Council and the Irish Turf Cutters and Contractors Association. This problem is a challenge for all of us. I hope we can find a solution by working together. It is possible for us to show Europe that we care and that we are able to protect this country's environment.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I would need about 25 hours on this issue. I want to clarify something. When one is cutting turf on a high bog, one does not drain the high bog. One would be a fool if one were to do so. It would be the equivalent of trying to make concrete without adding water to the cement and the sand. Water is needed in the high bog to make a brick or sod of turf. We need to get away from the idea that the high bogs are being drained. The drains on my bog were put there by the State, not by the turf cutters. They should be filled in.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I appreciate that Deputy Flanagan is an expert in this area. The Peatlands Council welcomes his expertise and advice as a turf cutter. He is engaging with Mr. Skehan. Most people from rural areas, including myself, have cut turf. If one comes to County Kerry for a weekend every August, one will find Éamon de Buitléar explaining how bogs are formed and should be preserved. We have been doing that for 20 years. I agree with the Deputy that there are times when scientists and turf cutters might agree on the practical application of turf cutting to bogs. There is no doubt about that. I thank the Deputy for his clarification. He might come to the festival I mentioned some time, perhaps as a guest speaker.