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

As I have indicated, I understand the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has advised that the development of a new regulatory framework for small-scale peat extraction will be initiated and progressed. I fail to see a reason the 2014 review of the raised bog NHAs cannot be continued and completed irrespective of the development of this new regulatory framework. It is possible that the new framework will be developed before the review of the blanket bog NHAs is commenced or completed. If so, the new framework can be taken into account, if appropriate, in a future review of blanket bog NHAs. If the new framework has not been developed by the time of a future review, a review of blanket bog NHAs could still take place. I envisage that any blanket bog NHA de-designated arising from a future review would be subject to the new regulatory framework to be initiated and progressed by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. I do not, therefore, propose to accept this amendment.