Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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69. 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. [65447/25]

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.

Under the Habitats Directive Member States shall take appropriate steps to avoid, in the special areas of conservation, the deterioration of natural habitats.

These protected Special Areas of Conservation are wetland ecosystems of high ecological value. The main threats to their conservation arise from any actions that remove the vegetation, drain water and cause them to dry out. In the case of Active Raised Bog (peat forming areas which is an Annex 1 habitat under the Directive), mean water levels need to be near or above the bog surface for most of the year in order for it to survive. Turf cutting consist of the direct removal of peat and the vegetation on top. In addition, drainage associated with the activity compromise the hydrological integrity of these bogs, leading to the lowering of the water table. These changes to the bog structure result in the loss of the unique raised bog ecology.

Arising from this legal obligation on the State to ensure that these sites are adequately protected and due to the damaging effect of turf cutting and associated drainage on these protected bogs, as Minister I am legally prohibited from granting consent for activities which would have an adverse effect on the integrity of these sites.