John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 876: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on making representations to the European Commission with a view to relaxing the conditions of the habitats directive which prohibits the harvesting of turf on large tracts of boglands here in view of the soaring cost of oil, the depletion of oil stocks and the ongoing fuel crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22795/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Ireland is required to protect habitats of European importance under the Habitats Directive 1992, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997, and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000. I have no plans to seek a relaxation of the requirements of the Habitats Directive.