Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 725: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will expedite payment to farmers who have opted to sell bogland under special areas of conservation and national heritage areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28842/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Having regard to available budgetary resources, priority is being given under the bog purchase scheme this year to those wishing to sell their interest in the 32 raised bog sites which were nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation in 1999. For these sites the derogation by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use, expires in 2009.

A further 23 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation were nominated for designation in 2002. In these cases, the ten year derogation will expire in 2012.

Seventy-five Natural Heritage Areas were designated in 2004, and the 10 year derogation period for them will not expire until 2014.

Land transactions within those areas, where the derogation will not expire this year, will not qualify for priority attention this year.