Vol. 504 No. 2
270 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the level of compensation available to bog owners who make a substantial part of their living from selling turf; if this compensation will be guaranteed for a number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11643/99]
Compensation for cessation of turfcutting in areas proposed for designation as special areas of conservation (SACs) will be payable only to persons, be they operators of mechanical harvesters or otherwise, who have a legal right to or ownership of the bog which is the subject of the proposed designation. A streamlined compensation scheme which should allow for early payment of compensation has been devised and advertised in local newspapers. Under this scheme payment of compensation will be made primarily on the basis of an affadavit sworn by the land/turbary owner or the person claiming traditional rights to turfcutting. Compensation will be based on actual loss of income as vouched or evidenced, as opposed to notional loss of income. Where agreement cannot be reached on the amount of compensation payable, the matter may be referred to arbitration by either party.
Mechanical turfcutting in areas of raised and blanket bog which are outside proposed SACs may continue as before.
