Written answers

Wednesday, 30 June 2010

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Special Areas of Conservation

9:00 pm

Photo of Ulick BurkeUlick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding designated bogs; the allocating he has provided for persons who are restricted from harvesting turf on their bogs; if he will meet and negotiate with representatives' groups throughout the country who have been affected by his decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28581/10]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department has been meeting with turf-cutters' representative organisations and will continue to do so in the coming months to discuss the report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on the cessation of Turf Cutting on certain Designated Raised Bogs with a view to arriving at a long-term approach to protecting these sites, while addressing the interests of affected parties.

In the meantime, my Department will provide interim funding of €1000 per household for the coming winter towards the fuel needs of those turf-cutters who normally source their fuel supply from the raised bog Special Areas of Conservation on which the ten-year derogation has now come to an end. Terms and conditions apply regarding qualification for this payment and applications will be accepted up to 31 July.

Photo of Paul Connaughton  SnrPaul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a bog plot purchased by his Department from persons (details supplied) in County Westmeath has not been paid for in view of the fact that the Q3 agreement and copy map was forwarded to the relevant section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28635/10]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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This application is one which relates to a raised bog Special Area of Conservation on which the derogation allowing continued turf-cutting has now ended. Applications relating to these sites, including the application in question, are now being prioritised for processing by my Department. A letter of offer has been issued to the vendor in recent days.

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