Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

SACs are different. They are referenced in the Bill and are required by Europe, but they are in a different category and do not relate to this. Our concern is those blanket bogs that are not protected by SAC status or all of the various requirements and caveats that come with that.

While the Minister of State has spoken about what might be anticipated or expected or what he might think might be considered, that is not in the Bill. That is the concern. There may be a number of factors that may be anticipated for consideration, but they are not in the Bill. Blanket bogs have been included alongside raised bogs which have already undergone those good processes that the Minister of State has spoken about. I recognise that there are areas that are very degraded. Again, that is one area where we need to take care.

We also want to ensure that we do not set up an incentive for the degradation of areas. While I am aware that it was not always managed well and that repair work has been done in the past two to three years in rebuilding relationships, actions were taken in that period such as, for example, key heritage areas being largely cut. Was it on 21 June in one year that a large-scale cutting in a quite symbolic area took place? We do not want in any way to create a dynamic whereby there is a sense that there is any reward for the degradation of heritage areas. That is why having all of these other considerations, like the track record and what the environment has been like over a period, would mean that it would not simply be a case that if there were to be degradation of an area this year, it would be more likely to get de-designated in a year's time. There needs to be a continuum of work and a joined-up impact assessment that looks at the bigger picture.

With due respect to the Minister of State, those factors that are there for SACs because they are obliged to be there for a SACs are not present in the Bill at the moment. I support all of Senator O'Sullivan amendments and I will not presume to press them without allowing her an opportunity to engage with them further on Report Stage. I urge the Minister of State to consider whether it may be a more expeditious and appropriate strategy to look at dealing with blanket bogs separately. He may end up with a blueprint that is useful and usable. We are not ready to add them in at the moment.