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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 4

Written Answers - Natural Heritage Areas.

John Bruton

Question:

580 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the funding he will provide to the Bohermeen action committee to help preserve Bohermeen and associated bogs in County Meath, for the ongoing benefit of the local, national, European and international communities for ongoing environmental, ecological, educational and socio-economic benefit; if he has initiated a report on the Bohermeen Bog; the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8023/03]

The bog at Bohermeen, also known as Jamestown Bog, is one of 75 bogs, mainly in the midland counties, which have been proposed for designation as natural heritage areas, NHAs, because they are worthy of conservation as good examples of raised bogs. It is my Department's objective to maintain these bogs at a favourable conservation status.

Where necessary restoration work, such as blocking of drains, will be undertaken. This work will be carried out, on a national basis, by my Department's Heritage Service, and will be for the benefit of local, national, European and international communities. It is not intended to fund local action committees to carry out these works, but my Department will be prepared to work with any local groups wishing to co-operate to achieve conservation objectives.

My Department will undertake a study of the impact of turf cutting on all raised bogs proposed for designation, including the bog at Bohermeen, primarily to distinguish the most sensitive areas where turf cutting should be phased out as a matter of urgency, from other areas where domestic cutting may be phased out over a longer period without causing significant damage to the ecology of the bogs. It is planned to have this study completed during 2003.

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