Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 532: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the restrictions placed on turf cutting here as a result of the transformation of EU directives into Irish law; if restrictions apply to people cutting turf for their own use either on privately owned bog or rented turf banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11605/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Revised peat extraction controls were introduced under the Planning and Development Regulations 2005 in July 2005 to ensure compliance with EU requirements on environmental impact assessment. The regulations generally exempt peat extraction below a threshold of ten hectares from the requirement for planning permission. However, there are exceptions where the peat extraction would have significant effects on the environment. In these limited cases, planning permission must be applied for and the relevant planning application must be accompanied by an environmental impact statement.

Under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997, the cutting of turf on bogs which are designated for conservation, whether on privately owned or rented turf banks, is a notifiable action, namely, an activity that must be notified to my Department and for which my consent must be acquired before carrying out such an activity. Except in very sensitive areas, consent to cut turf for one's own use has normally been allowed to date. However, cutting on a commercial basis has not been allowed on designated bogs.