Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, to the Chamber. I acknowledge what Senator Ned O'Sullivan said. He made some really practical and pragmatic comments that are worth taking on board. I welcome the opportunity to speak on Second Stage of this important legislation, the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016. It was passed in the Dáil. The Minister of State said the Bill is part of the joint programme for Government, and that is clearly an important consideration for him. It is one of his commitments and I have no doubt he is committed to delivering on his commitments for government because ultimately that is what his platform is. I accept and acknowledge that.

Ireland has 75 designated natural heritage areas, NHAs, under national law for the protection of raised bogs. These sites complement the 53 areas of protected raised bog in Ireland that have been nominated for designation as special areas of conservation, SACs, in accordance with the EU habitats directive. Since 2011, over €18 million in taxpayers' money has been spent on protecting and conserving the SAC raised bog network in Ireland. That is right and appropriate. The figure may even have increased since I last read about it. It is a very significant contribution and commitment and one we have to acknowledge. Let us be honest about the fact that the SAC network remains the bedrock of Ireland's primary response to the conservation of raised bog under the habitats directive. That has to be acknowledged. We have to be pragmatic and have a reasonable approach. In this Bill, the Minister of State is attempting to do so.

It is important that we work with the turf cutters, as Senator Ned O'Sullivan said. We have to acknowledge their role, contribution and legitimate claim to exercise their skill and craft in cutting turf, be it on a very small scale or slightly larger one. We must be practical about how we address the issue to ensure we protect our unique natural environment and, more important, fulfil our EU environmental obligations. The latter is critical. The Minister of State has made that point also.

I acknowledge those who have campaigned in this area for many years and the various environmentalists, environmental groups and prescribed bodies that have advocated. As time has moved on, there has been compromise on all sides, which is an important factor and consideration. I acknowledge, in particular, the work of Deputy Fitzmaurice because I am aware he was passionate about this issue and worked very closely with people in his constituency, where this was a real issue for him and his constituents.

I acknowledge the traditional rights of landowners and turf cutters and their expectation of an income. We have to be practical. We must assess this environmentally and socially. There are many aspects to an overall assessment of the impact. I accept and acknowledge, as the Minister of State said, that a review of the raised bog natural heritage area network was carried out, and its findings were published in January 2014. The review concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitats through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. I understand that the purpose of this Bill is to provide for the implementation of a reconfiguration of the raised bog natural heritage areas. I accept it is important legislation needed to protect the environment and comply with our EU obligations in this regard. It will allow for our raised bog network to be managed more effectively and in a more environmentally friendly manner. Admittedly, there are compromises and sections that have been take out, in addition to possibilities of including bogs, but overall this is a pragmatic response to a major issue that has featured for some time.

I am advised, and the Minister of State has advised us in this House today, that this legislation is based on sound scientific evidence that will have a positive impact on the raised bog network. The statement that the legislation is based on scientific work and research is one of the most important to be made today. It certainly gives us comfort here.

I thank the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy Madigan, and her predecessor, Deputy Humphreys, in addition to the staff in the Department, for their meaningful engagement over a long period on what was a very heated debate. It presented many challenges but this legislation is basically decent. Having listened to the contributions of others in this debate, I reserve the right to propose amendments on later Stages of the Bill. I thank the Minister of State for attending. Giving a guarded welcome, I believe this is good legislation worthy of support.