Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Higgins for her contribution. I am conscious of the benefits of the restoration of peatlands, its benefits for Ireland's commitments under our international climate change targets and to them functioning. Peatlands capture carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the form of peat and vegetation. The National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022, approved by the Government and published in December 2017, sets out how raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed. The national restoration programme for Ireland's raised bog special area of conservation and national heritage area is contained within this plan. It is intended to restore all designated raised bogs within three cycles with the first cycle operating for the duration of the management plan. As provided for in the Bill, the primary focus of any review of bog habitats would be nature conservation in terms of maintaining bog habitats at, or restoring bog habitats to, a favourable conservation status. Restoration of bog habitats through the blocking of surface water drains by the insertion of peat or plastic dams, with the accompanying benefits regarding climate change targets and carbon storage will be a key element of the process. However, I am also conscious of the balance within the Bill between the needs to protect the environment, living up to our EU obligations and working with landowners and turf cutters. While I will not be accepting the Senator's amendments, I will consider the matter further, in consultation with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, with a view to bringing forward amendments on Report Stage, which take account of the issues raised. I understand where the Senator is coming from. I assure her that we will look at the language of her amendments in bringing forward an amendment on Report Stage.

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 includes a strategy to address pollinator decline and protect pollination services on the island of Ireland. Its recommendations will be taken into account in developing any necessary regulations. Therefore, I do not see the need to include any of the amendments on the pollinator plan in this regard and I will not be accepting those amendments.