Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if turf-cutting will be permitted or restricted in special areas of conservation under the habitats regulations 1997 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5746/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 require the conservation and preservation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The cutting of bog in SACs for industrial and commercial purposes has been prohibited since 1999. However, the cutting of turf for domestic use, subject to certain conditions such as a prohibition on the use of so-called "sausage machines", is generally permitted in SACs until the end of 2008.