John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total expenditure by his Department to carry out surveillance on protected bogs under EU law; the services that were obtained as part of this expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38486/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My Department has incurred expenditure in the sum of €34,422.39 in 2012 and some €46,243.15 this year, for the hire of private aircraft, for the purpose of aerial monitoring of activity on raised bog Special Areas of Conservation where the requirement to cease turf cutting applies. Private aircraft are only used when the Air Corps is not in a position to undertake these flights. It should be remembered that Ireland is at risk of action before the European Court of Justice if these Special Areas of Conservation, which are protected under Irish and European law, are not preserved. Ireland also risks daily fines of up to €25, 000 for failure to uphold its obligations under European law.