Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the panel for hearing and determining appeals on turf cutting and harvesting rights has been established; the composition of the panel; when the panel will commence its work; when appeals will be heard; when appellants will be advised of the panel and the appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26542/12]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 459: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding an appeal on turf cutting harvesting rights (details supplied); when a date will issue for the appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26543/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 458 and 459 together.

Under the provisions of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, the carrying out of certain works in natural heritage areas, including the extraction of turf, cannot take place without my consent, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Consent was refused for the works referred to in the Question, as they were considered to be damaging to the NHA. I understand that the individual in question has appealed against this decision.

My Department has established a panel from which to draw upon barristers or solicitors of not less than seven years standing to hear and determine appeals against decisions to refuse consent for the carrying out of certain works in natural heritage areas. My Department will be writing shortly to the individual referred to in the Question in relation to the hearing and determination of his appeal.