Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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41. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will issue an order to allow the cutting of turf at bogs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53887/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The EU Directive on the Conservation of Habitats, Flora and Fauna (92/43/EEC), commonly known as “the Habitats Directive” requires Member States to select sites, for the protection of habitats and species which are considered threatened in the EU territory and listed on the annexes to the Directive. Annex I of the Habitats Directive includes priority habitats such as active raised bog, which are considered to be in danger of disappearing within the EU.

Ireland has long selected and protected a number of sites for the protection of Annex I raised bog habitats, including the bogs referred to, and designated these bogs as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Approximately 9% of Ireland's original raised bog resource is protected for conservation purposes.

These raised bog SACs are included in European Sites as defined by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, 2011 ("the 2011 Regulations"). The cutting of turf may not be carried out or caused to be carried out or continued to be carried out on these plots by any person save in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 30, 31 and 32 of the 2011 Regulations. It is a criminal offence subject to prosecution to do so without the relevant statutory consent. Further details regarding activities requiring consent are available on my Department's website .

The cessation of turf cutting is generally required on all raised bog SACs to ensure Ireland meets its habitat conservation obligations.

To facilitate the cessation of turf cutting, the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (CTCCS) was launched in 2011, from date of cessation for 15 years, to compensate households affected by the restriction on turf cutting for domestic use on raised bog SACs. Further details about peatlands are available on the National Parks and Wildlife Services website at www.npws.ie/peatlands-and-turf-cutting.