Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the entire area of the Croaghrimbeg bog has been designated as a special area of conservation; the scientific reason for this proposal; the nature and extent of consultation that took place with landowners involved; the arrangements for traditional turf cutting that took place on this bog for generations to be continued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13520/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the Question refers to an area within the candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) 001932 known as Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex. The Croaghrimbeg bog area contains both wet heath and active blanket bog. Most of the area was proposed for designation as an SAC in March 1997; and affected landowners were notified at that time. The site was transmitted to the European Commission in May, 1999 and adopted by Commission decision of 7 December 2004, pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EEC, as one of the list of sites of Community importance for the Atlantic biogeographical region.

The proposal to designate the SAC was re-notified on 1 December, 2006 to further propose the inclusion of a previously omitted short and narrow stretch of the Derrycraff River. This proposed amendment was based on scientific advice that the river is an important habitat for salmon. As the site has already been adopted by the European Commission, any amendment of the SAC boundary will require the agreement of the Commission.

Owners of bog in an SAC are permitted, subject to certain conditions, to cut turf for their own domestic use from the time of proposal for designation until the end of 2008. My Department operates a scheme for compensation and purchase of turbary rights.