Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason his Department is trying to stop turf cutting on Crosswood Bog County Westmeath even though there is an agreement to allow turf cutting on all designated bogs for a ten year period; if he will ensure that all turf cutters are treated in a similar manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10987/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that a number of landowners at Crosswood Bog met with an official from my Department last month concerning works carried out by Coillte Teoranta in adjoining lands. My Department has not requested the landowners to cease cutting turf for domestic use in the bog.

The 1999 Agreement to allow turf cutting on designated bogs for a ten year period applies throughout the country. Under the Agreement turf cutting is subject to a number of conditions, including that the areas harvested are not in highly sensitive areas of bog and that the turf cut is solely for personal domestic use. Turf cutting for any other use is not permitted.