Written answers

Thursday, 2 June 2011

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Special Areas of Conservation

5:00 pm

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when Coolrain Bog also known as Windsor, Cahir custodial, Rosnacloonan and Larkins was adopted by the European Commission as a special area of conservation or when a decision was taken by the European Council; when this notification of adoption was sent to the relevant Minister as required by SI 94/1997 Art. 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13978/11]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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This site was adopted by the European Commission on the 7th December, 2004 and notified through publication in the Official Journal of the European Union on the 29th December, 2004.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total land area and location of boglands affected by special areas of conservation or other conservation measures preventing traditional turf cutting; the number of bogs; the area of each; the total number of traditional turf cutters affected; if any discussions have taken place with EU representatives with a view to a resolution of the issues; if alternative areas can be offered for conservation which will not impact to the same extent on traditional turf cutters; if other EU countries have had to seek variation of directives when national tradition came into conflict with EU directives; if he will pursue such options; if he will arrange for a comprehensive review of all aspects of the way in which certain conservation measures conflict with tradition; if he will ensure that each and every aspect of the situation is examined with a view to reaching a fair and equitable conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13979/11]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Raised bogs in Ireland contain rare and threatened natural habitats that are protected under National and European law. A small number of raised bogs are on sites that are designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) or National Heritage Areas (NHAs). Raised bogs have almost vanished due to land reclamation, drainage and turf extraction. These sites are among the best examples of the tiny proportion of such habitats left in Europe.

There are over 1500 raised bogs in Ireland and 139 of these have been designated for nature protection within 130 sites. In area, they comprise less than 5% of the peatlands in the State where turf-cutting is feasible. My Department estimates that there are up to 2600 active turf cutters on these bogs. The tables give details of the location and areas of these sites.

Almost all raised bogs outside these sites would not now meet the criteria for designation or restoration due to drainage, exploitation and land-use change. However, many of these bogs are suitable for turf-extraction and relocation of turf-cutters to such areas is likely to be feasible in most cases. As such, measures recently announced are not incompatible with the continuation of traditional activities, but will necessitate a relocation of such activities to non-designated bogs.

Traditional activities in Ireland and across the EU, encompassing a range of disciplines such as agriculture, fishing, hunting, land use and industry have all had to adapt to the requirements of EU directives, including those aimed at environmental protection. Turf-cutting is no different, in this regard.

The European Commission has commenced infringement proceedings against the Irish Government regarding its obligations under the Habitats Directive and the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive with regard to the regulation of turf extraction from designated sites. Myself and my officials are in regular contact with the Commission in relation to this matter.

In early April I announced the establishment of an independently chaired Peatlands Council to respond to commitments set out in the Programme for Government and to assist Ireland to respond in a strategic way to the requirements of the Habitats Directive. The Council is chaired by Mr Conor Skehan and includes representatives of the IFA, the Irish Peatlands Conservation Council, the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, Irish Rural Link, the Irish Environment Network, Bord na Móna and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. The Peatlands Council also provides a framework for stakeholder involvement in addressing the immediate issues regarding the protection of these sites and arrangements for compensation and relocation.

The Council has met on several occasions and this week made significant progress in regard to agreeing a work programme to addressing the needs of turf-cutters while recognizing the necessity to stop turf-cutting on Ireland's raised bog SACs.

In April, I also announced a long term compensation package for turf-cutters in sites where turf cutting is no longer possible. The scheme, which applies immediately to turf-cutters on 31 raised bog SACs, will deliver payments of €1,000 per annum for a maximum of 15 years. As an alternative to financial payments, and where feasible, qualifying turf-cutters will be facilitated in relocating to alternative, non-designated sites to continue cutting turf. Alternative forms of compensation will be explored by the Peatlands Council.

The Government is committed to building a shared understanding of our peatlands encompassing the issues of conservation and tradition and to reaching an equitable resolution to this important issue.

SAC 1999 – Raised Bog
No#YearSite CodeSite NameCountyHectares of SAC% of Raised Bog HabitatHectares of Raised Bog Habitat
11997000006Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally)Cavan/Meath191.2246%87.96
21997000231Barroughter BogGalway174.0253%92.23
31997000248Cloonmoylan BogGalway554.4271%393.64
41997000285Kilsallagh BogGalway279.7368%190.22
51997000296Lisnageeragh Bog and Ballinstack TurloughGalway455.4962%282.40
61997000301Lough Lurgeen Bog/ Glenamaddy TurloughGalway1,162.1151%592.68
71997000326Shankill West BogGalway136.3952%70.92
81997000382Sheheree (Ardagh) BogKerry17.0738%6.49
91997000391Ballynafagh BogKildare156.4643%67.28
*101997000440Lough Ree*Ros/LD/WM14,371.243%431.14
111997000457Derrynabrock BogMayo/RoscommonSubsumed into SAC 2298
121997000497Flughany BogMayo/Sligo231.0947%108.61
131997000547Tawnaghbeg BogMayoSubsumed into SAC 2298
141997000566All Saints Bog and EskerOffaly369.6852%192.23
151997000572Clara BogOffaly836.5444%368.08
161997000575Ferbane BogOffaly153.0876%116.34
171997000580Mongan BogOffaly207.8361%126.78
181997000581Moyclare BogOffaly129.8662%80.51
191997000582Raheenmore BogOffaly210.0165%136.51
201997000585Sharavogue BogOffaly223.4361%136.29
211997000592Bellanagare BogRoscommon1,207.5961%736.63
221997000597Carrowbehy/Caher BogRoscommon343.8354%185.67
231997000600Cloonchambers BogRoscommon348.2045%156.69
241997000604Derrinea BogRoscommon86.1870%60.33
251997000614Cloonshanville BogRoscommon225.7684%189.64
261997000641Ballyduff/Clonfinane BogTipperary269.5669%186.00
271997000647Kilcarren-Firville BogTipperary676.6755%372.17
281997000679Garriskil BogWestmeath324.8152%168.90
291997001242Carrownagappul BogGalway487.5365%316.89
301997001818Lough Forbes ComplexLongford/Ros1,337.0821%280.79
311997002110Corliskea/Trien/Cloonfelliv BogGalway/Ros725.2161%442.38
321999000297Lough CorribGalway/Mayo25,253.372%505.07
1999 Raised Bog SACSub-total51,145.4613.85%7,081.45
* Raised Bog Qualifying Interest added in 2002
SAC 2002 – Raised Bog
No#YearSite CodeSite NameCountyHectares of SAC% of Raised Bog HabitatHa of Raised Bog Habitat
332002000595Callow BogRoscommon617.9126%160.66
342002002298River MoyMayo/Ros/Sligo15,415.624%616.62
352002002331Mouds BogKildare591.2049%289.69
362002002332Coolrain BogLaois145.9542%61.30
372002002333Knockacoller BogLaois130.3939%50.85
382002002336Carn Park BogWestmeath247.8963%156.17
392002002337Crosswood BogWestmeath206.6151%105.37
402002002338Drumalough BogRoscommon278.8952%145.02
412002002339Ballynamona Bog and Corkip LoughRoscommon244.7718%44.06
422002002340Moneybeg and Clareisland BogsMeath/Westmeath364.3239%142.08
432002002341Ardagullion BogLongford117.3348%56.32
442002002342Mount Hevey BogMeath/Westmeath483.7841%198.35
452002002343Tullaher Lough and BogClare469.184%18.77
462002002346Brown BogLongford76.6866%50.61
472002002347Camderry BogGalway280.7270%196.50
482002002348Clooneen BogLongford215.0339%83.86
492002002349Corbo BogRoscommon206.7658%119.92
502002002350Curraghlehanagh BogGalway278.2255%153.02
512002002351Moanveanlagh BogKerry214.7261%130.98
522002002352Monivea BogGalway286.6851%146.21
532002002353Redwood BogTipperary555.0332%177.61
542002002354Tullaghanrock BogRoscommon103.9265%67.55
552002002356Ardgraigue BogGalway183.5443%78.92
2002 Raised Bog SACSub-totals21,715.1414.97%3,250.45
Total SAC Raised Bog Area72,860.6014.18%10,331.89
Natural Heritage Areas
CodeSite NameCountyArea (HA)
000220Lough Namucka Bog NHAGalway276.46
000221Moorfield Bog/Farm Cottage NHAGalway139.12
000222Suck River Callows NHAGalway/Ros3,396.91
000229Ballygar Bog NHAGalway165.58
000235Bracklagh Bog NHAGalway104.93
000245Clooncullaun Bog NHAGalway202.61
000247Slieve Bog NHAGalway268.39
000249Cloonoolish Bog NHAGalway119.76
000254Crit Island West NHAGalway733.77
000267Funshin Bog NHAGalway182.76
000280Castle Ffrench West Bog NHAGalway159.00
000281Keeloges Bog NHAGalway324.53
000283Kilmore Bog NHAGalway160.49
000284Kilnaborris Bog NHAGalway167.86
000292Leaha Bog NHAGalway102.19
000307Lough Tee Bog NHAGalway448.75
000310Meneen Bog NHAGalway217.41
000321Raford River Bog NHAGalway245.83
000333Anna More Bog NHAKerry128.99
000337Doon Lough NHAClare581.80
000422Aghnamona Bog NHALeitirm/Longford410.63
000564River Little Brosna Callows NHAOffaly/Tipp1,322.87
000565Clonydonnin Bog NHAOffaly/Wmeath138.07
000570Black Castle Bog NHAOffaly167.69
000591Bella Bridge Bog NHARoscommon198.63
000603Cornaveagh Bog NHARoscommon123.97
000605Derrycanan Bog NHARoscommon349.87
000640Arragh More Bog NHATipperary419.51
000642Ballymacegan Bog NHATipperary107.48
000648Killeen Bog NHATipperary217.27
000652Monaincha Bog/Ballaghmore Bog NHALaois/Tipperary293.50
000674Ballynagrenia and Ballinderry Bog NHAWestmeath292.74
000677Cloncrow Bog (New Forest) NHAWestmeath234.32
000684Lough Derravaragh NHAWestmeath1,413.45
000691Rinn River NHALeitirm455.93
000694Wooddown Bog NHALeitrim/Longford196.99
000890Cangort Bog NHAOffaly/Tipp127.14
000921Screggan Bog NHAOffaly179.64
000937Scohaboy Bog NHATipperary392.96
000985Lough Kinale and Derragh Lough NHACavan414.30
000993Ayle Lower Bog NHAClare85.67
001020Loughanilloon Bog NHAClare95.69
001227Aughrim Bog NHAGalway263.57
001240Capira/Derrew Bog NHAGalway118.64
001244Castle Ffrench East Bog NHAGalway204.28
001254Derrinlough Bog NHAGalway246.89
001255Derrynagran Bog and Esker NHAGalway110.11
001264Eskerboy Bog NHAGalway132.01
001280Killaclogher Bog NHAGalway492.20
001283Killure Bog NHAGalway478.46
001303Moorfield Bog NHAGalway208.50
001324Jamestown Bog NHAMeath201.23
001352Bunnaruddee Bog NHAKerry151.87
001388Carbury Bog NHAKildare131.23
001393Hodgestown Bog NHAKildare128.98
001405Cashel Bog (Leitrim) NHALeitirm128.59
001420Corracramph Bog NHALeitrim222.68
001423Cloonageeher Bog NHALeitrim284.72
001448Forthill Bog NHALongford121.97
001450Mount Jessop Bog NHALongford147.53
001580Girley Bog NHAMeath146.38
001582Molerick Bog NHAMeath88.57
001623Carrickynaghtan Bog NHARoscommon599.97
001652Tullaghan Bog (Roscommon) NHARoscommon99.46
001684Lorrha Bog NHATipperary82.23
001725Nure Bog NHAWestmeath225.36
001812Lough Garr NHAWestmeath218.99
001853Nore Valley Bogs NHATipperary272.38
002033Daingean Bog NHAOffaly179.59
002072Lisnanarriagh Bog NHARoscommon109.01
002307Cloonloum More Bog NHAClare167.52
002323Milltownpass Bog NHAWestmeath118.39
002344Annaghbeg Bog NHAGalway273.12
002355Hawkswood Bog NHAOffaly136.74
002357Clonreher Bog NHALaois186.00
Total Area 22,443

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