Michael Moynihan
Question:43 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on his current policy in relation to cutaway bogs.
Written Answers. - Cutaway Bogs.
Michael Moynihan
Question:59 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Energy if a final decision has been made in regard to the future development and use of cutaway bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Joseph Doyle
Question:68 Mr. Doyle asked the Minister for Energy whether the new working party on the use of cutaway bog will have the scope to recommend State support to ensure that some of the land is devoted to beneficial projects which might not justify themselves on solely commercial criteria.
Eric J. Byrne
Question:74 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Energy the estimated date by which most of the bogs at present being worked by Bord na Móna will be extinguished; the plans the Government have for the subsequent use of cutaway bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:146 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Energy the number of acres of peat land which will become available within the next ten years from Bord na Móna in South Tipperary for agricultural purposes; the way he proposes to distribute this land, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Tomás MacGiolla
Question:154 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Energy if he intends to instruct Bord na Móna not to proceed with further disposals of cutaway bogland until the interdepartmental committee, which are at present considering the Government's overall policy on the utilisation of cutaway bogs, have reported.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 59, 68, 74, 146 and 154 together.
It is estimated that most of the bogs at present being worked by Bord na Móna will be exhausted by the year 2020. It is expected that 1,500-2,000 acres of cut-away will become available in the next ten years in the south Tipperary area.
I am determined that the valuable emerging resource of Bord na Móna cut-away bog should be utilised in the best possible way for the benefit of this country and have as yet taken no final decision on the eventual use of the cut-away.For this reason I have set up an independent expert committee to examine the allocation of Bord na Móna cutaway between the competing demands of forestry, agriculture/ horticulture and amenity uses. The committee will make recommendations as appropriate on the optimum division of the cutaway as it becomes available. I would expect the committee to report to me before the end of this year. The terms of reference of the committee together with details of their membership are available from the Dáil Library. The terms of reference do not limit the consideration of the committee to solely commercial criteria.
I expect that the report of the committee will be available to me before the question of any further disposal of cut-away bogs by Bord na Móna will arise.