Written answers

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made on the National Plan for raised bogs and when this plan will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38648/12]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My Department has prepared an outline document detailing the proposed approach to the development of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan. This draft document was presented to the Peatlands Council and the European Commission, and, following this consultation, feedback has now been incorporated into the proposed approach. The document is available on my Department’s website at


The proposals made earlier this year at the Peatlands Forum identified relocation as a viable proposition for the majority of our raised bog SACs and the primary focus of the national plan is to develop a long-term conservation approach to each of the sites and relocation options for those who wish to continue turf-cutting.


While the plan holds out the possibility of finding solutions for even the most difficult of cases, it must be comprehensive and address each of the 53 sites. Its completion is, therefore, dependent on the engagement of turf-cutters on each of the SACs where turf-cutting has been undertaken in recent years.


When the European Commission and the Government agreed to a National SAC Management Plan approach in April this year, I urged at that time that, for the plan to be a success and to ensure that there was space to concentrate on those bogs where finding alternative solutions was particularly difficult, all those with an interest in the plan’s success should ensure that cutting would not take place this year. However, the breaches that have occurred on a minority of the SAC raised bogs of the requirement not to cut turf have diverted limited resources into enforcement activities and added additional complexity to the process of completing the plan.


Nonetheless, I am determined that, in collaboration with the Peatlands Council, substantial progress will be made on the plan over the coming year. In this regard, my Department will now be stepping up contact with turf-cutting groups to seek long-term resolutions to the issues for their particular bogs, in compliance with EU and national law. In addition, my Department will shortly be seeking tenders for the carrying out the scientific research work which is essential to underpin the plan.

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