Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 942: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to designate more boglands under the EU Habitat Directive; if he has plans to control the harvesting of peat on boglands not so designated at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11303/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 959: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the guidelines or legislation attached to the cutting or use of turf from family plots or turf banks; the time scale of the implementation of such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11565/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 961: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the names and locations of bogs which are subject to restrictions in relation to turf cutting in compliance with the relevant EU directive; the terms and conditions which apply to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11638/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 962: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to turf cutting; the rules and regulations; the position with the derogation from Europe in relation to allowing turf cutting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11646/08]

Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 983: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there are plans or proposals to further restrict the cutting and harvesting of turf from bogs here in any NHA or special area of conservation other than the published schedule of thirty two raised bogs which are coming out of the ten year derogation period in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11950/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 942, 959, 961, 962 and 983 together.

Protection of conservation sites of European importance is required under the EU Habitats Directive 1992, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997, as well as the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000. In accordance with the Directive, Ireland has nominated certain raised and blanket bogs, which are priority natural habitats under the Directive, as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs). All raised and blanket bog cSACs are listed in the table below.

In order to protect the designated bogs, the ending of all peat extraction was originally proposed. However, a derogation period of up to 10 years was allowed from 1999, in respect of domestic turf cutting from 32 raised bogs designated before 1999. This derogation expires at the end of this year. A similar 10 year derogation period currently applies to any bog cSACs designated after 1999.

My Department operates a generous compensation scheme for persons who agree to stop turf cutting in designated raised bogs. This covers both cSACs and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs).

At present domestic turf cutting is not prohibited in any blanket bog cSACs or NHAs, although the use of 'sausage cutting' machines is not allowed. Large-scale peat extraction works may require planning permission, with an associated environmental impact assessment, under the planning code.

I have no current proposals either to designate any further bogs or to control the harvesting of peat on undesignated bogs.