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

This group comprises amendments Nos. 29 to 31, 31a and 32. It is proposed that when a natural heritage area is de-designated, domestic turf cutting may continue on the site while larger scale or commercial turf cutting will continue to be regulated through other consent systems, such as through the planning system and integrated pollution control licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency. Under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme administered by the Department, turf cutters seeking to relocate to a non-designated bog, may opt for the delivery of 15 tonnes of turf per year for household use while awaiting relocation. In addition, the legal agreement signed by each relocating turf cutter includes a provision that the turf extracted from the relocation site is for domestic use and is not to be sold. Other than that, it would not be appropriate for the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to endeavour to regulate turf cutting in non-designated sites. The focus of the Minister is on protected sites.

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has advised that the development of a new regulatory framework for smaller scale peat extraction will be initiated and progressed. I am willing to write to the Minister requesting that his Department take into account the provisions of the amendments proposed by Senators in the development of this framework. I will not be accepting these amendments. With respect to amendment No. 31 specifically, it is a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. The current policy with respect to relocated turf cutting activity is that the turf could not be sold.