Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 500: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when payment will issue in respect of the sale of a bog to his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30854/10]

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 between 1997 and 1999. For these sites the derogation by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use, has now expired.

The land owned by the individual in question was designated as a Natural Heritage Area, and, as such, is not within those sites. Therefore, this purchase does not qualify for priority treatment this year.