Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the time scale and methodology regarding the establishment of the management plan structures to deal with turf cutting on the land of special area of conservation, SAC, bogs, in order that compliance with the EU habitat directive will be in place. [6037/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I am giving early and urgent attention to the issue of turf cutting on protected habitats, and am currently working with my colleague, Mr Jimmy Deenihan, TD, who will have responsibility in this regard as Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, in developing comprehensive proposals for Government reflecting the commitment in the Programme for Government. These proposals, to be brought to Government as a matter of urgency, will also address concerns raised by the European Commission regarding Ireland's alleged breaches of the Habitats and Environmental Impact Assessment Directives in relation to the issue of peat extraction.

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.