Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will reverse the decision to ban turf cutting on bogs from 1 January 2009, in which there has been only a small reduction in the overall area of the bog or when there has been an increase in protected area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47281/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Turf cutting may continue as normal on the vast majority of bogs in 2009. A small number of bogs are protected because they are nature conservation sites of European importance under the EU Habitats Directive. As such, these have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). For 32 raised bog SACs, which were nominated for designation in 1999, turf cutting is due to come to an end at the close of the current season, following the expiry of a 10-year period of grace. This period was allowed to give turf cutters the opportunity to find alternative sources of fuel. Ireland has a substantial proportion of western Europe's remaining area of active raised bog. However, it is being lost at a significant rate due mainly to the cutting of turf and associated drainage. The protection of Ireland's most important remaining areas of raised bog is a requirement under EU law and is necessary for the preservation of one of Ireland's prime examples of natural heritage. Most of Ireland's bogs are not designated for protection, and cutting may continue as usual on these. Cutting may also continue on blanket bog SACs, under the existing restrictions which limit it to non-commercial harvesting and excludes the use of certain machinery.