Written answers

Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Turf Cutting

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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438. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which all outstanding issues with turf cutting on the various bogs throughout the country affected by SACs and NHAs are being resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4598/17]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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439. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which all outstanding issues with turf cutting on the various bogs throughout County Kildare affected by SACs and NHAs are being resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4599/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.

Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. These Directives aim to ensure the protection of habitats and species which have been selected for conservation within special areas of conservation and special protection areas.

Significant efforts have been made by the State to resolve the issue of the protection of Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation within the framework of the Habitats Directive. This has included intense and on-going engagement with turf cutting interests, the farming community, non-governmental organisations and with the European Commission, as well as the establishment of a long-term compensation scheme for affected turf cutters.

The National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan will set 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 including exploring the options in terms of certain provisions of article 6 of the Habitats Directive. It is intended that the Plan will be published in the coming period, subject to Government approval.

177 applications under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation have been acknowledged by my Department in respect of Mouds Bog and 60 applications in respect of Ballynafagh Bog in County Kildare. A total of 504 annual payments, 220 turf deliveries and 41 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from Mouds Bog and 125 annual payments, 22 turf deliveries and 15 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from Ballynafagh Bog. 79 applicants from Mouds Bog and 23 applicants from Ballynafagh Bog have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog.

Discussions are on-going with qualifying applicants from Ballynafagh Bog with a view to relocation to a non-designated bog in close proximity.

Due to the issues involved in terms of a relocation site for turf cutters from Mouds Bog, my Department, in consultation with turf cutter interests, is considering whether the provisions of article 6.3 of the Habitats Directive could be utilised to allow cutting within areas of the special area of conservation. 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 by rigorous scientific investigations that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of the site.

The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. Arising from this review, the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 has been presented to Dáil Éireann and is currently proceeding through the necessary stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Its purpose is to provide for the implementation of a reconfiguration of the natural heritage area network arising from the 2014 Review.

Carbury Bog natural heritage area in County Kildare is one of the natural heritage areas which is to remain designated as a natural heritage area arising from the review. Hodgestown Bog natural heritage area in County Kildare is one of those scheduled for de-designation.

Final resolution of all issues in relation to the protection of Ireland’s protected raised bogs will only be brought about by everyone working together, within the law, with my Department and with the Peatlands Council, which was established for the purpose of ensuring the input from all stakeholders.

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