Vol. 553 No. 5
361 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway and his neighbours are not allowed to cut turf for domestic reasons on the Roxboro Bog at Kilchreest, Loughrea, with a turf machine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14728/02]
Roxboro Bog is part of Sonnagh Bog cSAC No. 1913 and is a blanket bog. The use of sausage machines is not permitted on bogs within candidate special areas of conservation, cSAC. This measure was introduced in early 1999 and was considered necessary because of the significant damage caused by these machines.
However, the use of other turf cutting machines may be permitted in certain circumstances. Attempts are ongoing by staff of Dúchas, the heritage service, to contact the person named and his neighbours to clarify the options available to them to continue turf cutting.
