Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 40: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to review the designation and purchase of bogs in view of the financial restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24923/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Bogs are important natural habitats and are home to unique ecosystems containing rare flora and fauna. Both blanket bogs and raised bogs are protected habitats under European and Irish Law and representative samples have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the Habitats Directive or Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) under the Wildlife Acts. Ireland has some of the most ecologically important bogs in the European Union.

In 1999, when the first of these sites was designated for nature protection, all commercial turf cutting on these bogs was stopped and the then Minister granted a ten year grace period for those who were cutting turf for their personal domestic use to find alternative sources of fuel.

Cutting on Blanket Bog SACs and NHAs can continue, except in very sensitive areas, under the current restrictions, which prohibit commercial extraction and the use of "sausage" machines. However, the continued cutting of turf, by hand or machine, and associated drainage on designated raised bogs is incompatible with their preservation.

Raised bogs occur predominantly in the midlands. There are over 1,500 raised bogs in the State but only 139 of these are designated for nature protection as SACs or NHAs. Even with the restrictions in cutting that were introduced in 1999, over one third of the active raised bog habitat on these sites has been lost in ten years. It is clear that more needs to be done if Ireland is to meet it's obligation to protect this important habitat.

Rather than a review of their designation, these sites now require more effective protection. This involves a transition to end turf cutting on the small number of designated raised bogs. I have established an interdepartmental working group to consider how best to achieve this transition and to assess the resources that will be required. This group has invited submissions from interested parties and will consider these in arriving at its recommendations.

The voluntary bog purchase scheme, which is operated by my Department, purchases plots on designated raised bogs. The future operation of this scheme will be considered as part of the recommendations to be made by the working group. In the meantime, the scheme will continue to operate as usual.