Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, to the House. It has taken some considerable time for this Bill to make it to this House. I hope its passage will not be significantly delayed so we can see it implemented to address a very important issue for rural communities. This Bill, as the Minister of State said, will primarily grant more power to the Minister and will provide for a reconfigured raised bog natural heritage network. I am very aware of the impact the designation of bogs has had for landowners and turf cutters. This legislation is a vital piece of the process in ensuring we can find a long-term solution that ensures landowners and turf cutters are not unduly bearing the brunt of meeting our environmental goals, which are very important. It is important that concerns continue to be voiced at the highest levels when it comes to the report to be published by the climate action committee later this week. It is also important that we do not forget that when this country was in the depths of recession, it was very much the agriculture sector, the backbone of our economy, that brought it back from the brink and allowed us to return to a position of economic growth.

This legislation will be very positive and will mean that 46 bogs will be totally de-designated and a further seven will be partially de-designated. I am familiar with quite a few of the bogs in my area, following many representations by those concerned. It thank the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, the Minister, Deputy Madigan, and the former Minister, Deputy Humphreys, for their co-operation and work on this issue. Bogs across Roscommon and Galway to be fully de-designated include Annaghbeg, Bella Bridge, Clooncullaun, Cloonlish, Cornaveagh, Crit Island West, Derrycanan, Derrynagran and Esker, Eskerboy, Funshin, Killaclogher, Killure, Kilmore, Kilnaborris, Leaha, Lisnanarraigh, Lough Namucka, Meeneen, Moorefield, Slieve, Suck River Callows and Tullaghan. Local bogs to be partially de-designated include Carrickynaghtan, Castle Ffrench, Keeloges and Lough Tee. These changes mean that the relocation process will be made much easier and will ensure that communities have access to bogs within a reasonable distance.

From an environmental perspective, this plan will create a network that can be managed in a more environmentally friendly manner and more effectively. The Minister of State pointed that out in his speech. It will focus on key sites and ensure they are appropriately invested in while returning many communities to their turf-cutting tradition. I have recently seen this work at first hand through a conservation project at Carrowbehy Bog, which is near Gorthaganny, County Roscommon. The committee involved is working hard to develop the tourism potential of the region. The boglands are very much key to that. The committee is working very closely with those concerned with the Living Bog project. Similarly, Cloonlarge Bog in Kilteevan, County Roscommon, has been successful in securing funding under the pilot peatlands community engagement scheme for 2018 and there are fabulous walks in the area. It is important in terms of valuing the unique biodiversity of our bog areas.Alongside that is the tourism potential of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands brand. The boglands, which are unique, are predominantly in the west and the midlands and they should be promoted more as a tourist amenity. I give those two very practical examples of communities that are trying to value and promote the biodiversity within those regions.

I thank the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy Madigan, and her predecessor, Deputy Humphreys, for their work on this Bill. It will have a direct positive impact on many communities across our region. It has been a long journey but I believe it will provide us with a solution which balances both the needs of communities along with our environmental obligations in a very appropriate manner.