Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 6

Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.

Enda Kenny

Question:

232 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the conditions under which turf cutting for commercial and non-commercial use apply for the 2000 turf cutting season; if sausage machine cutters are banned and prohibited for these uses; the kind of machinery, if any, allowable for domestic turf cutting in national heritage areas, special areas of conservation or other areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6921/00]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The restrictions on turf cutting which I announced last year apply only to special areas of conservation, SACs. Proposed natural heritage areas, NHAs, were not involved.

The circumstances in which turf cutting may continue in special areas of conservation have not changed since they were first announced. The use of sausage machines will not be permitted but other machines may continue to be used. Domestic cutters may continue to cut turf for the next nine years in all but the most sensitive areas. The compensation schemes as previously announced are still available to those who cease cutting now, with the exception of the extra £1,000 payment which only applied to those who ceased cutting with effect from 1999.

I will arrange to have copies of the press releases setting out the arrangements for turf cutting on blanket and raised bog SACs made available to the Deputy.