Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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215. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department will undertake an assessment to determine whether or not EU proposals for rewetting the bogs may lead to flooding on neighbouring farm land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49283/23]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The final steps in the proposed Nature Restoration Regulation process are approaching, with the European Parliament vote on the matter likely to take place early next year. If the Regulation is approved, Member States will then need to develop and implement National Restoration Plans.

The proposed Regulation provides that restoration targets relating to drained peatlands, including rewetting, can be achieved across a range of areas including former industrial peat extraction sites and other drained peatlands. In Ireland, this means that the targets set out in the proposed regulation up to 2030 and beyond can be achieved within state-owned lands.

The rehabilitation of peat bogs is currently underway through the Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS) administered by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and operated by Bord na Móna, and water-level management is a key part of the rehabilitation process for peat bogs. Indeed, the management of water levels on peatlands designated for restoration is essential for many sites before any activity or rehabilitation can commence.

Before commencing rehabilitation work at each site, Bord na Móna submit a rehabilitation package, which includes a detailed rehabilitation plan and drainage management plan, to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department for review and approval. These packages and plans are tailored to each individual site and take account of the surrounding lands.

Any proposed restoration work planned on peatlands, including bogs, as part of the proposed Nature Restoration Regulation will, similarly, require thorough analysis beforehand including rehabilitation and drainage management plans.

Finally, it is worth noting that restoration of peatlands, including bogs, at an adequate scale can help reduce flooding in their catchments, as their capacity to hold water and release it slowly is greatly enhanced.