Vol. 504 No. 7
288 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the percentage of proposed bogs under EU Directive 92/43/EEC in State or Bord na Móna ownership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12649/99]
289 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the average of State and Bord na Móna bog not designated under EU Directive 92/43/EEC which still supports its natural flora and fauna; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12650/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.
The position on Irish peatland sites is that my Department has proposed 30 raised bog sites containing approximately 8,000 ha. of intact raised bog, and 44 blanket bog sites containing approximately 250,000 ha. for SAC designation in the initial list publicly advertised in 1997.
The selection of these sites, whether State owned or in private ownership, was made on the basis that these were the most important raised and blanket bog sites in the country, and provided a good representation of this habitat in Ireland. Details relating to the percentage figures sought by the Deputy are not available in my Department.
290 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the sites transmitted to Brussels and to be transmitted by 1 August 1999 under Directive 92/43/EEC; the number of these which are bogs; the number of bogs which remain embroiled in controversy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12651/99]
Ireland has to date transmitted a total of 108 priority habitat sites under the terms of the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. To date all 30 raised bog sites and 29 blanket bog sites have been transmitted, leaving a remainder of 15 blanket bog sites to be transmitted by the end of July.
