Vol. 537 No. 2
282 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 277 of 22 May 2001, he will outline the current status of domestic turf cutting following the passing of the Planning and Development Act, 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15765/01]
At present only peat extraction involving an area of 50 hectares or more requires planning permission and an environmental impact assessment. The Planning and Development Act, 2000, brings peat extraction within the planning system. This provision has not yet been commenced.
Provisions in relation to exemptions for domestic turf cutting will be included in the general exempted development regulations currently being prepared in my Department under the Planning and Development Act, 2000. These regulations require the prior approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas and I propose to submit the draft regulations for approval within the next month with a view to bringing the development control part of the Act into force in the autumn.
