Written answers

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Turbary Rights

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will detail the efforts he has made to resolve the outstanding issues in relation to turf cutting; the engagement he has had with the Turf Cutters Contracts Association and with other stakeholders and with officials at a European level; and the way he proposes to bring the situation to a successful conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42029/12]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Earlier this year, Mr Conor Skehan, Chair of the Peatlands Council, convened a Peatlands Forum, under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice John Quirke, and involving my Department, the IFA, the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA), Bord na Móna, and representatives of turf-cutting and environmental groups. This Forum allowed each community affected by the cessation of turf-cutting on raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to put forward their views on the issues and follow-up steps were identified for each bog.


In his report, Justice Quirke recommended that a national plan should be prepared to examine how the 53 raised bog SACs are to be protected. This recommendation was agreed to by Government and Dáil Éireann also gave unanimous support to a Private Members' Motion, which called for such a national plan to be put in place within the terms of the Habitats Directive. On the 3rd of April last, a delegation led by Minister Hogan and I met with EU Environment Commissioner Potočnik in Brussels, where we secured the support of the European Commission for developing a National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan.


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, with 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. Unfortunately, the unauthorised turf-cutting that was undertaken by a minority of contractors and turf-cutters this year has 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.


The TCCA has suspended engagement with the Government and with the Peatlands Council, which is regrettable. However, the vast majority of turf-cutters in these sites have engaged with the Government and applied for its flexible package of compensation or relocation. Those who choose to cease cutting turf completely can apply for compensation of €1,500 per annum for the next 15 years. Eligible cutters are also entitled to a one-off payment of €500 for this year. This means the total compensation package is worth €23,000, index linked and tax-free.


For those who wish to continue cutting, my Department is working to relocate turf cutters to alternative, undesignated bogs. Preparations have been finalised on the first of these relocation bogs and others are being finalised, or solutions are being identified, in consultation with affected cutters. Where relocation bogs are not yet available, turf-cutters can choose between a €1,500 payment, or the delivery of 15 tonnes of turf, each year while the relocation bog is being identified, acquired and prepared for cutting. They will also be entitled to the one-off €500 payment.

To date, almost 2,400 applications for compensation or relocation have been received by my Department, with payments issued already to some 1,461 applicants. Turf deliveries have been made to 58 applicants and a further 146 are approved for delivery. Some 701 applicants have indicated an interest in relocation.


I am maintaining regular contact with the European Commission and am working closely with them to address this difficult issue.

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