Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the phased basis for more than 130 raised bogs conservation sites; when the phases will be imposed; and the names and locations of same. [16508/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Under the EU Habitats Directive, Ireland is obliged to protect various natural habitats which are of international importance, including through designating areas as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Once designated, Ireland is obliged to monitor, protect and where necessary, restore those habitats which are under threat. In addition, Ireland, under national law, has also designated Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) for protection under the Wildlife Acts. A total of 130 sites have been designated as SACs and NHAs for the conservation of raised bog habitat.

The effective cessation of turf-cutting on 31 SAC sites was confirmed by a decision of the previous Government in May 2010 and had immediate effect. This year was also the last season of turf-cutting on the remaining 24 raised bog SACs. On the 5th April this year the Government made a number of decisions in relation to turf cutting in Ireland, including the putting in place of a compensation package for those who are required to cease cutting, the establishment of a Peatlands Council and the drawing up of a national strategy on peatlands conservation and management. In the context of the national strategy, the position regarding raised bog NHAs, which are protected under national legislation, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive will be examined in advance of the 2014 cutting season.

The tables set out the names of the bogs affected by these decisions.

TABLE 1: Bogs affected from 2010 (SAC Sites)

* This site has now been subsumed into the River Moy SAC (002298)

TABLE 2: Bogs affected from end-2011 (SAC Sites)

TABLE 3: NHA Raised Bog sites – to be examined before 2014

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 2 June 2011, if alternative areas can be offered for conservation which would not impact to the same extent on traditional turf cutters; if his attention has been drawn to other countries that have sought derogation from EU directives when national tradition came into conflict with EU policy; if he will pursue such options; if he will arrange for a comprehensive review of all aspects of the way certain conservation measures conflict with tradition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16511/11]

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 and these designated sites are among the best examples of the small proportion of such habitats left in Europe.

There are over 1,500 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 2,600 active turf cutters on these bogs.

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 many cases. As such, the measures announced 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 activities such as agriculture, fishing, hunting, forestry, 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.

My attention has not been drawn to other countries that have sought derogation from EU Directives when national tradition came into conflict with EU policy. Once adopted, Directives are binding on all Member States in accordance with the provisions of the individual Directives.