Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to obtain agreement on the implementation of turf cutting restrictions on designated bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22157/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The ten-year derogation has come to an end for 32 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation. The derogation will end for further sites at the end of 2011 and 2013. It is clear from the scientific evidence available to me that there has been a continued loss of protected habitat on these bogs that can only be effectively halted and reversed through further restrictions on turf cutting and associated drainage on these sites. The working group which I established to advise on necessary arrangements to protect designated raised bogs has met with turf cutters' representative organizations and conservation interests in order to hear their views, and these are being taken into account in the finalisation of the arrangements involved.