Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if special areas of conservation are being proposed for a geographical area (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the impact that such proposals will have on the turbary owners in these areas; the number of people that might be affected; if there has been consultation with the owner groups who will be severely impacted by such proposals; the alternatives that have been proposed for the people affected in order that they can meet their turbary requirements; if they will be allocated other areas where they can harvest their turf requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7882/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The geographical areas referred to (Carn Park and Crosswood Bogs) were proposed as candidate SAC in December 2002 and were publicly notified at that time in accordance with the requirements of the Habitats Regulations 1997. Land Title enquires revealed that 75 persons with turbary rights were affected by the designation.

People who are cutting turf for their own personal domestic use are permitted to do so in less sensitive areas of the bogs until the end of 2008. However the use of so-called "sausage machines" is not permitted. The Cessation of Turf Cutting Scheme as currently administered by my Department provides payments to individuals for the purchase either of raised bog or turbary rights on raised bogs in designated areas. However, the Scheme does not allocate alternative turbary rights in other areas nor is this proposed.