Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

32. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has sought a report into the recent actions of the National Parks and Wildlife Service pertaining to turf cutting on Knockarasar bog in Galway; if there has been any change in policy regarding this type of bog; the date on which the Moycullen district bogs were designated as NHAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24452/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Statutory Instrument No 584 of 2005, which was signed into law on 20 September 2005, formally designated Moycullen Bogs, including Knockarasar Bog, as a Natural Heritage Area (NHA). The Statutory Instrument is available to view at NHAs are designated for the protection of certain endangered habitats, in this case blanket bog. To ensure the protection of these habitats, certain activities can only be undertaken within NHAs with consent from my Department. These include:

- cutting turf, except from existing plots;

- cutting intact (uncut) areas;

- commercial peat moss or turf extraction; or

- the use of the sausage machine.

Policy in relation to these matters has not changed.

During 2013, a complaint was received in my Department from a member of the public relating to turf extraction within the NHA referred to. It was alleged that turf had been cut using a sausage machine, that new areas had been opened and that a commercial operation was underway. Officials from my Department have been investigating the complaint and were recently in contact with the landowners and contractor involved. Investigations are ongoing.