John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 1009: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will intervene and allow the purchase by the State, of a small portion of raised bog, designated as a special area of conservation, from a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34502/09]

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 given by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use, expires in 2009.

The persons in question in this case own land within Corracramph Bog, a Natural Heritage Area designated in 2004, and the 10 year derogation period will not expire until 2014. Land transactions within this area, accordingly, will not qualify for priority attention this year.