Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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8. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will confirm that her Department is prepared to introduce more and tighter restrictions on designated blanket bogs, such as Bragan Mountain and others in County Cavan, and countrywide; if her Department is planning to stop turf cutting on designated blanket bogs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16851/15]

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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It seems to me, having to spoken to some of the Minister's officials in different parts of Ireland, that preparations are being made to impose tighter restrictions on the blanket bogs in different parts of Ireland. One of the bogs in question is found on Bragan Mountain in the Minister's part of the country. Can the Minister confirm that the intention is to stop turf cutting on those bogs? Perhaps the information given to me is not factual.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government is continuing with its policy of implementing the EU habitats directive and protecting habitats in special areas of conservation, including 50 special areas of conservation for the protection of blanket bog. These sites include lowland and mountain blanket bog areas, predominantly along the western seaboard but also widely distributed on upland areas. The climatic conditions required for the formation of blanket bogs are found in limited locations around the globe, such as Scotland and Norway in the northern hemisphere and New Zealand and Argentina in the southern hemisphere. Many of the special areas of conservation sites identified for protection of blanket bogs are extensive and include complexes of other habitats, such as heaths, grasslands and aquatic habitats, also listed for protection under the habitats directive.

The habitats directive has been fully transposed into national law by means of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, as amended, and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Legal protections consistent with those set out in the habitats directive have applied to the sites since they were initially proposed for designation. Ireland’s planning and environmental legislation has operated under these designations. Due to a deterioration of the protected peatland sites since they were nominated for designation, an infringement action has been brought against Ireland by the European Commission. The action relates to all protected peatland sites - both raised bog and blanket bog.

The draft national peatlands strategy makes it clear that greater clarity must be brought to the process of how turf cutting on blanket bog sites is to be managed in compliance with the requirements of the habitats directive and the environmental impact assessment directive. It is anticipated that turf cutting will be able to continue within blanket bog special areas of conservation but more sensitive areas will need to be avoided. The aim is to have in place a workable system for the management of turf cutting on these sites. This system will be put in place in consultation with the local communities involved. The necessary scientific work and consultation with local communities will need to be undertaken in advance of this system being implemented. Therefore, it is unlikely that the system will be introduced until 2017 at the earliest.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I take it that the person who wrote the Minister's reply was not looking at the question because it seems we are talking once more about special areas of conservation.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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No.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I say that on the basis of the reply read by the Minister. We established earlier that while these areas might have legal importance, they are not yet special areas of conservation. I urge people to stop using the phrase "special areas of conservation" in this context because it is misleading.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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It is not misleading.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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It seems from the Minister's reply that one's right to cut turf on a blanket bog will depend on where one is in Ireland. If one is lucky enough, one may be able to cut turf. If one is unlucky and the blanket bog is in one of the sensitive areas about which the Minister is talking - it could be any bog in any county in any part of Ireland - one may face restrictions. Would it be fair to say that one will be able to cut away at least until 2017, which will be after the next general election?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I want to make it clear that there is no doubt we have to value the bogs.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I did not say we do not.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The bogs are a great asset and we need to be positive about them. The point is that certain sensitive areas have to be looked at. We want to work in consultation with local communities. We want to get agreement. We want to work for the benefit of our peatlands. We want to work together. Anything the Deputy can do in this regard will be very welcome. Our peatlands are a huge resource, especially in terms of tourism. Last year, I visited Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre in County Longford, which houses the preserved remains of an Iron Age bog road that dates back to 148 BC. This hugely significant archaeological find has broadened our knowledge of early civilisation in Ireland. The visitor centre has become a wonderful tourism attraction in the midlands. We have to look at our bogs as an asset to our country. They need to be protected. I want to make it clear that we need to work in consultation with the landowners. I fully agree with that principle.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I welcome what the Minister has said and I fully agree with her. As we have always said, there can be conservation while people make use of things in different parts of the country. There is no reason people cannot work together constructively. I often saw in Connemara that the biggest attraction for a busload of people might be to look at a fellow cutting a few sods with a sleá. That is another aspect of it we need to look at.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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They might even lend a hand.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Yes. I agree with the point made by the Minister when she spoke about finding archaeological evidence of roads, etc. Those who have worked on the bogs down through the years need a bit of clarity. I welcome what the Minister has said about trying to work constructively with people so that they can cut their turf on these blanket bogs while also preserving these locations.

The final point I would like to make is that if one looks back on infringements and on what Europe has sent us, I do not think one will find it has been about bogs. It has been about other things. That should be clarified as well.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy has said, it is about working together and trying to find the right solution. I am fully committed to consultation on this issue and to working with the landowners.

There is great potential for outdoor activities. I understand that 9 million Germans want to use cycling for recreation or go on cycling holidays. We have a great opportunity to develop our bogs as a tourism amenity. They are a great asset.