Charles 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]

Jimmy 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.

Bernard 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]

Jimmy 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.