Written answers

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

EU Directives

9:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps taken to consult with domestic turf cutters in respect of plans to prohibit turf cutting in protected sites under European Union legislation; the further steps he will take to take on board the concerns of domestic turf cutters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42961/09]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I understand the concerns of domestic turf cutters on the relatively small number of designated raised bogs on which, for conservation reasons, turf cutting needs to be ended. There is no intention to restrict this activity on the vast majority of bogs within the State, where cutting may continue as before. The restrictions on domestic turf cutting on designated raised bogs affect only about 4% of the total area of bogland available for cutting. These restrictions are required for the State to fulfil its legal obligations to protect these sites under the EU Habitats Directive.

Earlier this year, I established the interdepartmental working group on the cessation of turf cutting in designated areas to examine all the implications of cessation, not least the measures that need to be taken to meet the concerns of turf cutters affected by the cessation. This group invited and received submissions from interested parties and has met with representatives of turf-cutting groups which made submissions, as well as with conservation interests. All submissions received and views expressed, including proposed approaches and solutions, are being considered.

The working group will report to me on the measures that may be required to implement the cessation, from the end of the year, on the first 32 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation. These measures will include full consideration of the impact of any cessation on those who have relied on turf cutting in these bogs for their fuel supplies.

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