Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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536. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has considered the scientific evidence regarding Coolrain bog in County Laois that a better outcome could be achieved by using compensatory habitat which is available. [7301/16]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The draft National Raised Bog SAC (Special Area of Conservation) Management Plan was published in January 2014. It sets out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed into the future and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed. It is expected that this Plan will be finalised over the coming period and, subject to the approval of the Government, will be published thereafter.

In the context of the finalisation of the Plan, my Department is considering the available options in terms of relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs and other alternatives and the invocation of certain provisions of the EU Habitats Directive. Under article 6.3 of the Directive consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation where it can be shown that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the site. Under article 6.4 of the Directive consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation for imperative reasons of overriding public interest and where there are no suitable alternatives.

Given the clear scientific evidence of the negative impact of turf extraction on raised bogs, it will only be possible to utilise the provisions of article 6.3 in a small number of cases. Similarly, the proof of overriding public interest under article 6.4 is very challenging and at best, will only be applicable to a small number of sites. In addition, if an article 6.4 case can be and is successfully made, compensatory measures will be required to offset the negative effects of any losses to the habitat concerned and to ensure the overall coherence of the raised bog special area of conservation network.

The position in relation to Coolrain Bog special area of conservation, amongst other sites, is being considered in the finalisation of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan.

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