Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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5. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will give an undertaking that the proposed closure of natural heritage area bogs will not proceed until and unless alternative turf-cutting locations have been provided for those who are affected by the closure but who wish to continue their turf-cutting tradition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32357/15]

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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In light of the fact that there are probably six to seven months, at most, left in the present Government's term of office, will the Minister give an undertaking that the closure of parts or all of the natural heritage area, NHA, bogs around the country proposed for the beginning of 2017 will not proceed unless alternative turf-cutting locations have been provided? We have seen the ongoing debacle with the so-called special areas of conservation, or SACs. Could common sense prevail so that those who want to continue exercising their right to cut turf are allowed to do so until relocation sites beside, near or on part of a bog are available?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Since the Government came into office, huge efforts have been made to solve the issue of the protection of Ireland's raised bog SACs within the framework of the EU habitats directive. These have included intense and ongoing engagement with turf cutting interests, farmers, non-governmental organisations and the European Commission.

Notwithstanding the complexity involved, progress in relocating turf cutters to non-designated bogs has been achieved in a number of cases. Potential relocation sites have been identified for each of the raised bog SACs where relocation may be required. When relocation sites have been assessed as suitable, my Department has been seeking expressions of interest from turf cutters with a view to them moving to these sites.

The report entitled Review of the Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, provides detail on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 current raised bog natural heritage areas. The review has concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This will entail the phasing out of turf-cutting on 36 natural heritage areas by 1 January 2017, including parts of seven sites, and the de-designation of 46 natural heritage areas, including parts of seven sites. The review was undertaken in the context of a commitment in the programme for Government and ensuring compliance with EU law relating to turf extraction within raised bog SACs and natural heritage areas.

The compensation scheme for cessation of turf cutting has been extended to landowners and turbary right holders affected by the curtailment of turf cutting in raised bog natural heritage areas. A total of 216 applications have been received from applicants from these sites. Eleven applicants have expressed an interest in relocating to a non-designated bog.

My Department, together with Bord na Móna, is identifying and assessing sites that may be suitable as relocation sites for turf cutters from these bogs. A number of natural heritage area sites which are scheduled for de-designation may be suitable. Officials from my Department are continuing to work with turf cutters on relocation options for the natural heritage areas on which turf cutting is being phased out.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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First, the Minister should tell whoever wrote that reply for her that one so-called SAC site in the country is all that has ever been sorted, and part of another one in Carrownagappul in Mountbellew. The Minister can tell them that, if they do not happen to know it themselves.

Second, I am not talking about so-called special areas of conservation. I am talking about natural heritage areas. We all know that some bogs are to be de-designated, but the Minister should bear one thing in mind. I have been hearing about legislation for a full year, yet every time I ask the National Parks and Wildlife Service about this legislation it seems to be further and further away. Can the Minister confirm when that legislation will be introduced for de-designation of the 45 bogs she mentioned?

One question has been evaded every time I ask it. We know that some people will take compensation, which is their right. The Minister said that 11 people were seeking relocation. However, the Minister can tell the person who wrote the reply that most people are still cutting in NHAs because they are not being asked to come off them until the beginning of 2017.

Can the Minister say to those people who want to continue with their tradition, and who are willing to say they will go down the road a mile or up the road a mile or go together in one corner of a bog, that they will not be banned from cutting their turf until the Department, which has basically done nothing with regard to relocation for 15 or 16 years, has a new site for them to cut turf on or congregate them together in the bog? That is all they are asking; they are not saying anything else.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As I said in my reply, the review of the raised bog natural heritage area network was published in January 2014. It sets out the future arrangements for turf cutting on each of the 75 current raised bogs. There has been consultation on this review and stakeholders were given the opportunity to provide their views. Some people will have to stop cutting on the natural heritage areas from 2017. We have already opened our compensation scheme for those people, and a number of people have taken this up. Others will be told that their bogs are to be de-designated. This happened as a result of a substantial amount of work undertaken to ensure more focused protection. We will designate new natural heritage area bogs, but my Department has given a commitment that these will be mainly from State bogs.

Overall, the approach taken between special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas has been very different. We have taken a very balanced approach with regard to natural heritage areas. We have consulted, published a review and set out proposals. People who will be asked to stop cutting have been given a lead-in time until 2017. Good progress has been made when people engage. I encourage people to engage with my Department and officials because I have a good example of where engagement works out well. People came together in my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, worked together, adopted a co-operative approach and found a solution that they are very happy with.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To bring the Minister up to speed on that, I was at the back at Lough Sheelin bog for the search. The Minister mentioned 1 January 2014, but we are heading for 1 January 2016. This has been going on for two years and no legislation has been introduced yet. Some people in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, whom I do not blame, have admitted openly that no de-designation legislation has been introduced. This is a worry. People around the country are worried. Before the election comes around, the Minister is saying that the Government is not rowing back on the bogs it says will be closed on 1 January 2017, and I take that point.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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What I am saying is that there is a group of natural heritage areas that are already de-designated. We are already engaging with the people who will have to stop cutting by 2017, and we have opened a compensation scheme to them. Some designated sites will be de-designated and we will designate new sites that will be mainly on State lands. We are trying to ensure that there will be a good sample of natural heritage area bogs and that the impact on people is kept to a minimum. In fairness, there has been widespread acceptance that this is a good way forward.

In respect of the assistance given, I was involved in the process in Cavan and I know that the Deputy met me on one occasion. A lot of work took place after that meeting; my officials engaged with turf cutters in Cavan and we found a solution. Many people are involved, and I know Deputies Connaughton and Feighan and a number of other Deputies have been involved in trying to find a solution. That is what it is about. It is about working together to find the right solution, hearing people's views and getting the right result at the end of the day.