Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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827. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of raised bogs designated as SAC’s in the Republic of Ireland; if he will confirm if an application has been made to the EU Commission to have any of these bogs designated because of continuing turf-cutting on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37403/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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A total of 62 Special Areas of Conservation have been designated for raised bog habitats in Ireland.

It is assumed that the question refers to the de-designation of these SACs. The de-designation of a Natura 2000 site is not a national policy decision in isolation, and would require ratification by the DG Environment of the European Commission. Any decision in this regard would be based on scientific analysis. No application has been made to the Commission to de-designate any of the aforementioned raised bog sites.