Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify the position regarding the continuation or not of turf cutting on 32 designated raised bogs in view of the media reports (details supplied) concerning the ending of the derogation. [5014/11]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in view of the statement by his predecessor in April 2010 that the derogation permitting turf cutting was to end on the 75 natural heritage area bogs designated in 2004, if the sentence in the programme for Government that will allow an exemption for domestic turf cutting on 75 national heritage area sites subject to the introduction of agreed national code of environmental practices represents a resiling from this position. [5016/11]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he took to ensure the ban on mechanised peat extraction for domestic purposes in the 32 special area of conservation raised bogs in 2010 was enforced; and if he will provide details of any breaches of which he is aware. [5017/11]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the proposed ending of the derogation for mechanised peat extraction for domestic purposes relating to the 23 designated raised bogs that was scheduled to end in 2011. [5015/11]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to enforce any ban on mechanised peat extraction on designated raised bogs should breaches arise. [5018/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 187, inclusive, 196 and 197 together.

Under the 1992 Habitats Directive Ireland agreed to protect various natural habitats which are of international importance, including by designating areas as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for their protection. Once designated, Ireland is obliged to monitor, protect and, where necessary, restore those habitats and species which are under threat. 55 sites have been designated as SACs for the conservation of raised bog habitat. In 2004, Ireland also designated 75 raised bogs as Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) under the Wildlife Acts.

In 1999, arrangements were announced for the protection of the 31 raised bog sites that had been designated as SACs at that time. This included a 10-year national derogation during which domestic turf cutting could continue subject to certain restrictions. A similar 10-year derogation applied to the further 24 raised bog SACs and 75 raised bog Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) designated after 1999.

In May 2010, the Government confirmed the end of the derogation for domestic turf cutting in these 130 Raised Bog conservation sites, on a phased basis, with restrictions being implemented on 31 bogs from 2010. The previous Government did not take any decision to amend or reverse their decision of May 2010.

An interim compensation scheme was put in place and land / turbary right owners that could be readily identified were notified directly of the restrictions and the compensation scheme. Advertisements were placed in local newspapers and on local radio.

My Department continued to monitor bogs in designated areas following the Government decision ending the derogation. In a number of cases contractors coming onto bogs to begin turf cutting discontinued their activities on having the situation explained to them.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to the establishment of independent mediation between all relevant stakeholders with the specific objective of facilitating resolution to 55 Special Area of Conservation designated SAC bogs and to outstanding issues associated with turf cutting on blanket bogs.

I am giving early and urgent attention to this issue, and am currently working with my colleague Mr Jimmy Deenihan, TD, who will have responsibility for this matter as Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, in developing comprehensive proposals for Government reflecting the commitment in the Programme for Government. These proposals will also form the basis of Ireland's response to a recent Letter of Formal Notice from the European Commission regarding Ireland's alleged breaches of the Habitats and Environmental Impact Assessment Directives in relation to the issue of peat extraction.

The European Commission has also expressed concern regarding turf-cutting on raised bog Natural Heritage Areas. In addressing this issue, and achieving compliance with European law, we will also seek to accommodate the rights and wishes of turbary right owners in these sites, in accordance with the provisions of the Programme for Government of the Habitat Directive.

This Government will seek to resolve the long-standing issues regarding peat extraction on protected sites by working with local communities to address legitimate concerns while ensuring that Ireland is in compliance with EU environmental legislation. The proposals which are now being developed will put in place a range of measures designed to meet these twin aims.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 4 November 2010, if he will re-examine the reply to same and inform this Deputy of the steps he proposes to take to ensure that projects for the extraction of peat meet the requirements of this judgment. [5019/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently reviewing certain aspects of planning regulations relevant to the application of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive both in the context of Ireland's proposals to address the findings of a European Court of Justice case on on-farm developments as well as broader application of environmental impact assessment for peat extraction. I note the continuing concern expressed in successive questions by the Deputy in respect of the environmental impact assessment of peat extractions. As part of the above mentioned review, my Department is preparing new regulations which will, inter alia, address peat extraction and EIA. These will be submitted to the Oireachtas for approval by positive resolution in the near future.