Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will request the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to direct Bord Na Móna to make available as a pilot project part of their bog an Bunahinley, Athlone, County Westmeath, to turf cutters to relocate to with their existing rights from the two neighbouring special areas of conservation bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30378/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My Department has worked very closely with Bord na Móna in relation to the relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs. Relocation arrangements have already been agreed between my Department and the company as regards groups from Clara Bog in County Offaly and Mountbellew in County Galway. These arrangements involve the groups relocating to nearby Bord na Móna owned bogs, with the group from Clara Bog recently having commenced turf cutting at the relocation site in Killeranny, County Offaly.

My officials are currently investigating a number of potential relocation options in the area referred to in the Question with the assistance of Bord na Móna and Coillte.

It should be noted that Bord na Móna is a commercial semi-state body and it would not be appropriate to direct the company in relation to the management of its assets in any particular case.