Vol. 503 No. 6
222 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the compensation, if any, which will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the fact that his income will be reduced on the introduction of the scheme for cessation of turf cutting in areas designed as special areas of conservation and he will no longer be permitted to engage in commercial turf cutting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10767/99]
Compensation for cessation of turf cutting 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. 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 turf cutting in areas of raised and blanket bog which are outside proposed SACs may continue as before.
