Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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53. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the study of Coolrain bog, County Laois; when this will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9849/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022, published in December 2017, sets out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed.

Within the framework of this National 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.

14 sites have been identified by the Department, after consultation with turf cutting representatives, as suitable for investigation for the possible utilisation of Article 6.3 of the Habitats Directive – a list of these sites is included in the National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022. Coolrain Bog special area of conservation is included on this list. 

Scientific contractors engaged by my Department have undertaken a preliminary review of the eco-hydrological conditions present on this site to examine the potential for continued turf-cutting there in accordance with the provisions of the Directive. A separate Raised Bog Monitoring and Assessment Survey report was prepared to outline the current ecological condition and location of active raised bog habitat and other raised bog habitats, listed in Annex 1 of the Directive, on the site.

The results of these studies, amongst those for other sites, are being considered by my Department within the framework of the National Plan.