I welcome to this meeting members of the National Wetlands Wilderness Park Committee. Today's discussion will deal with the proposal for a national wetlands wilderness park in the north midlands. Before the presentation commences I draw attention to the fact that while members of the committee have absolute privilege this same privilege does not apply to witnesses appearing before the committee. Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I welcome Mr. John Fallon, Mr. Bernard Steele, Mr. Seán Beirne, and Mr. John Leavy to the committee. I invite them to commence the presentation.
National Wetlands Wilderness Park: Presentation.
Mr. John Fallon
I am John Fallon, secretary of the organisation and I thank Deputy Denis Naughten for introducing us to this committee. I also thank the chairman and the committee members. I am joined by Mr. Bernard Steele, a county councillor in Longford, and a former chairman of the county council. Mr. Seán Beirne is a county councillor and present chairman of Roscommon county council, and Mr. John Leavy is a hard-working member of our committee.
This is a proposal for a national wetlands wilderness park in Longford and Roscommon. It has long been recognised that the midlands, particularly Longford and Roscommon, are not a great attraction for our visitors and are at the bottom of the tourism tables. Neither do they draw our own people to spend much of their leisure time there.
Hotels, stately houses and gardens, heritage and interpretative centres, historic and archaeological sites, all add a little to the area, but it is now realised they do not make our counties places to which the holiday makers specifically come as they do to Cork, Kerry, Connemara, and the north west. Rather, the midlands are a place to pass through on the tourist's journey. The sites and centres are also one-off attractions that do not bring return visits by the tourist and are certainly one-off attractions for us.
The day has long gone when public roads in the area provided the facility for leisurely, safe rambling as the volume of traffic is now such that the pedestrian is in deadly danger even on minor roads. With such pressures in life and also much more leisure time becoming available, what is it that visitors and discerning Irish people now demand but which is almost impossible to find, especially in the midlands? It is a place where peace and quiet can be found away from the strains and stresses of modern living, far removed from business, industry and the busy office, and away from the noise, smells and danger of traffic and traffic jams. Families seek a place where they can ramble and roam at will and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, where one can unwind, reflect, meditate and wonder at God's creation. One may say that such a place no longer exists, particularly not in this part of the country and we agree, but we maintain that it can be recreated in Longford and Roscommon.
The Bord na Móna Mountdillon group of bogs in Longford and Roscommon covers an area of approximately 18,000 acres, divided into almost equal parts by the Shannon, and contained within a rectangle measuring some 26 miles from north to south and eight miles from east to west. Situated on the periphery of this area are the towns and villages of Longford, Killashee, Kenagh, Newtowncashel, Ballymahon, Athlone, Roscommon, Strokestown, Rooskey, Tarmonbarry, Lanesborough and Ballyleague. The bogs in the group are interconnected by a narrow gauge railway and a network of excellent public roads.
The Shannon flows right through the area from Rooskey in the north, through BalIymahon, into Lough Ree and down to Athlone in the south. Apart from the Shannon, many trout streams flow through and along the perimeter of the bogs. The Royal Canal, now almost restored to its former glory, runs along the edge of the area and connects with Dublin and the Shannon, while Abbeyshrule airfield is close by. With a modern road system and an upgraded rail line to Sligo the area is convenient to the Dublin population. Lough Ree bounds the bogs on the south and south east. The proposed new city of Athlone is on the southern edge, and will need vast recreational areas, while Longford town, another major growth area, is within two miles of the bogs.
For over 50 years, Bord na Móna has exploited this bogland and much of it is now worked out. Bord na Móna continues to work some areas, which have been put into the production of milled peat in recent years, but even this will be worked out in approximately 25 years.
We propose that a national wetIands wilderness park be established, initially on the worked out areas, and on the remainder as it becomes cutaway. This cutaway comprises areas of high and low ground. Much of the low ground is under the water table and during the working life of the bogs these areas are drained by a system of electric pumps. We envisage these areas being allowed to flood after the bogs are cutaway, thus creating lakes and swampy areas. On the existing cutaway, the higher ground is beginning to regenerate, with trees, bushes, wild flowers and heather becoming established. A rich diversity of fauna is already present including hares, foxes, badgers, pheasant, wild duck, woodcock, snipe, songbirds, falcons and small birds of prey. In the wetter areas, frogs are plentiful.
We envisage this park, which will include Lough Ree, developing over the years into a combination of the fens of East Anglia, Dartmoor and the New Forest, having its own distinctive native flora and fauna. It would be a huge attraction for walkers and ramblers, both native and visitors, whose pastime is becoming the world's number one recreational activity. It would also be a haven for bird watchers, another activity experiencing growth worldwide. Students and teachers of botany, biology, the natural sciences, history and archaeology, would also see this place as a gold mine of knowledge.
Rivers and streams that formerly held stocks of trout, but which have been ruined by deposits of peat silt discharged from bog workings would recover once peat extraction ceased, and would become a recreational and tourist facility. We firmly believe tourism, which will soon be our second most important industry, and the social and economic development of the Irish people has been almost irreparably damaged by the private ownership of the greater part of the countryside.
It should be remembered that the Bord na Móna bogs, Coillte's forests and the sea shore are now virtually the only parts of the landscape owned by the State and open to the public. It is vital, therefore, that all Bord na Móna bogs remain in State ownership. This will ensure that the insurmountable legal problems that have been, and continue to be, encountered as a result of the private ownership of land with regard to heritage and historic sites, rights of way, access to mountain commonage, rights to ramble, access to rivers and lakes and the rights of way along their banks as well as special areas of conservation, will not occur on the boglands.
For some time now interested people in the aforementioned towns, spearheaded by the Strokestown group, have been discussing and considering the national park proposal. We know there is widespread awareness of the need for such a project and there would be enthusiastic support for it from the public. Proposals have been forwarded to the relevant Ministers and State agencies. A study of the topography and the flora and fauna of the cutaway and the potential for the creation of a national park has been carried out by the department of environmental resource management at University College Dublin, under the direction of Dr. John Feehan, who is the world leader in this field. A report has been produced, which will be the cornerstone of our campaign. The report suggests that these bogs remain in State ownership and a national park be established on them.
This is a project that must start immediately and which will continue into the distant future. It is, by nature, long term and will benefit this and future generations. The coming generations will be able to say that in 2005 there were people, including public representatives, who were not interested in personal or political gain but had the interests of the country at heart when they had the foresight to create this wonderful area. These bogs are State-owned and unlike most other State projects, no financial outlay is necessary to acquire property. We would envisage such an area being administered by State bodies such as the Office of Public Works, Bord na Móna, Coillte, the Forest and Wildlife Service and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
This project will be a flagship for other parts of the country. The potential for the social, economic, educational and environmental betterment of this area is limitless. The area encompassing Longford, Roscommon and Westmeath can become one of Ireland's most attractive and prosperous regions. All that is needed is drive from the people, imagination from the experts and goodwill and foresight from our public representatives.
In the past few days we have learned that the department of environmental resource management at UCD is undertaking a further study which will result in a blueprint being drawn up for the creation of a national park in the region. This blueprint will be applicable to all other areas owned by Bord na Móna. The study is being supported and facilitated by Bord na Móna and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Our committee has been invited by local MEPs to put its case to the European Commission, which we hope to do in the autumn. This is really only the start of our work.
While we have worked on this for the past three or four years, the ball is only now beginning to roll. We do not seek money. We are members of a pressure group and are looking for a commitment from the State.
The study by Dr. Feehan makes worthwhile reading. The UCD report, which was completed before we approached that institution, is relevant to Bord na Móna bogs throughout the country. We urge this committee, after reading these reports, to ask the Government to take the necessary steps to complete this project. Now is the time to grasp this unique opportunity. If this parcel of land is interfered with in any way, it will never again be possible to create a national park there. I thank committee members for their attention.
I thank the Chairman and the committee for permitting the national wetlands wilderness park committee to make a presentation today. In the next few years, Bord na Móna will exhaust the milled peat on approximately 80,000 hectares of land. Some 20,000 hectares of this may be re-seeded as grassland and 25,000 hectares may be used for forestry. No definitive use has yet been suggested for the remaining 35,000 to 40,000 hectares. This land is owned by the State and has significant potential for development as a tourism asset, as is also the case for the Mountdillon group of bogs. This project's central location allows easy access from all parts of the country. It would be an asset not only in terms of attracting tourism to the north midlands region, which does not at present have a flagship tourism project, but also by putting this region on the map.
Mr. Fallon remarked that some of these lands would be re-flooded. Will this have an impact on the flood plain of the Shannon? In recent years, flooding has occurred in Carrick-on-Shannon, Athlone and Limerick. These additional lands might reduce the risk of floods in some of these towns.
Will Mr. Fallon comment on the State agencies which support his campaign? I am aware that local authority representatives accompany him. Are the local authorities supportive of this project?
Has Bord na Móna indicated that it is prepared to release these lands to the State or to Mr. Fallon's organisation so that these developments may take place?
Mr. Fallon
The Deputy is correct in that our proposal will somewhat alleviate flash flooding in the area. Much of this bog lies beneath the Shannon's water table. For many years, Bord na Móna has pumped water out of this land. There will be many hundreds of acres, at different points, where water will come from the River Shannon into these places. This will mean more ground will be available to absorb flood water from the Shannon.
Both the local authorities in counties Longford and Roscommon have supported us from the outset. Without the help of these local authorities, we would not have come this far in our efforts. We first approached Bord na Móna through Dr. John Feehan, who supervised relevant studies at UCD and has had a good relationship with Bord na Móna, with which he has carried out much work, for years. We have also developed a good relationship with Bord na Móna and it is very much behind our efforts. At one stage Bord na Móna probably had little idea as to how to use these bogs, but it is now in line with our efforts and supportive of them. The present study was initiated by us and UCD, with the help of Bord na Móna, which is supporting and facilitating it in every way.
I welcome the delegation from Longford and Roscommon who are making the presentation to the committee. I declare an interest in that I own bog and other land in the Derraghan area in the centre of the proposed development.
Tourism in Ireland has expanded rapidly over the past number of years. Much emphasis has been placed on Dublin, the east coast and the honey pots referred to in the document today. People in the midlands believe that the benefits of tourism must be spread more evenly. This bottom-up project, coming from the people themselves, will have huge benefits if it is taken up by the various tourist bodies.
I disagree with the statement that there is little to attract visitors to the area in question and that this part of the midlands is always bottom of the tourism pile. There are numerous attractions for visitors in the midland region, for example the great Iron Age track way and the interpretive centre at Corlea. The Chairman's father, on visiting Longford on one occasion, commented that the track way should be preserved. Abbeyshrule Airport, referred to in the report, recently celebrated 50 years in existence.
The vast majority of those visiting Ireland come through the east coast and tend to stay around there or move south or north of Dublin. This adds to the imbalance between the east and the rest of the country, especially the midlands. The canal system, on which much money has been spent in recent times, along with the River Shannon make up a huge amenity. Parts of Europe would welcome such natural tourist attractions. There is much potential here, and this is the start of something that will happen at some stage. The project, which is a people's project, will succeed if the people believe it will succeed.
I have been critical of tourist boards in recent years. We in the midlands have been neglected to say the least. Much squandering of resources is occurring within the tourism boards, and this should be examined by the Government. The time has arrived to abolish the tourism boards as they stand. I have strongly promoted the establishment of a midlands regional tourism board or a Shannon tourism board that could promote the midlands region. The Government could help with this. What support other than verbal has it received from the tourism groups that represent the east coast and midlands and mid-western regions? While I have repeatedly called for support for tourism products in the midlands, particularly in Longford, Westmeath and parts of Roscommon, I have always received a negative response. I wonder whether the same will be true for the national wetlands wilderness park. A new regional structure should be established in line with regional authorities with a similar product to sell, an example of which would be the midlands and the mid-western tourism representatives coming together under one umbrella. At the core of that body should be the development of tourism and not the money wasting exercise engaged in by some of the existing bodies, of which I have evidence.
Mr. Fallon
Senator Bannon asked about support from the tourist boards. Tourism bodies from Ireland west, on the Roscommon side, and east coast and midlands, on the other side, have been very supportive from the start. However, they told us they have no money. This did not stop us from going ahead and they supported us as best they could. I agree with the Senator that west midlands, Roscommon, south Leitrim and north Offaly should be entitled to a tourist board of its own rather than being tied in with Galway and Mayo on one side and with Dublin and the east coast on the other. I believe people will agree we in the midlands are different.
The midlands should be used as a pilot for a new approach. It has the Shannon, its tributaries and lakes as well as other wonderful assets such as heritage houses, theme parks etc. It has much to offer and it should be properly promoted. Perhaps the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism should have an involvement in trying to pilot a new structure in the midlands. As Mr. Fallon said, we have an abundance of peat-land and, once operational, the park would be a stand alone tourism facility.
I join colleagues in welcoming the delegation. I also welcome what is a very exciting proposal with some refreshing thinking. It is not every day this committee hears from a delegation that the social and economic development of the Irish people has been almost irreparably damaged by the private ownership of the greater part of the Irish countryside — an issue to which we might return at some stage.
I have some specific questions about the proposal. How is it proposed to manage this park? Is it envisaged it would be part of the national parks network of the Office of Public Works? If so, is the OPW prepared to do so?
Mr. Seán Beirne
It is at the initial stage at present. Given that the Environmental Protection Agency has given funding towards the research necessary to provide a blueprint for how the park might operate, it indicates some support at that level. However, the concept of a national wetlands park for a country like Ireland should be very attractive. Other countries have their national parks including dessert parks in the United States, the fens in East Anglia and Dartmoor. However, the concept of a wetlands park with all its flora and fauna requires minimal capital. There are existing tracks, roads and paths through the area and if the land was wetted, different flora and fauna would develop on the high parts and low parts. It would be a large area for people to enjoy and it would only involve designation by the relevant Department that could agree to going ahead with a national wetlands wilderness park. It would not require large amounts of money and it would develop over the years, although it would have to start soon.
If this idea is to fly it must remain in public ownership. Is anyone in the wings eyeing up this land?
Mr. Fallon
If people had an interest in it, they would not tell anyone else and that is a danger. If such a place went out of State ownership, it would be the end of it. Every national park is owned by the State, no matter where it is. It would be administered by the relevant body, such as the OPW. We are pushing the concept; we are a pressure group trying to get a commitment. If the Minister said to us in the morning that he would develop a national park in ten years' time, I would die happy. We are not looking for money because this would be a State asset. It could not be anything else.
I welcome the deputation and compliment the witnesses on the fine presentation. They are assured of the unanimous support of the committee in what they are trying to achieve. Has any research been done into how the bogs might regrow? This will not be for our generation, it will be for thousands of years down the line.
I am familiar with the area. Last week, I was on the Ringdong bog and it is almost down to the gravel because of the extraction of peat. I remember that bog before it was taken over, it was the winter feeding ground of the brent geese. If it was being developed now, no spade would be put in it, even though it gave tremendous employment in the midlands and saved a generation from going to England. I grew up in the area and as the seanfhocal says, is féidir an fear a thógáil as an phortach ach ní féidir an portach a bhaint as an fhear.
I support the concept but I am anxious to hear more about the research into regenerating the bog. The strongest argument to bring this to fruition is the environmental aspect and from my observation of the bog recently, if Bord na Móna pulled out in the morning and did nothing, it would automatically become what the delegation is trying to achieve. The flood plains already exist below the drainage level where water is being pumped out.
When I was young, my father sold 200 acres of that bog to Bord na Móna at a price of £1 an acre. My brother who is farming there now is not interested but the people there support the committee's idea. The research into how this bog would grow and renew itself in thousands of years or more, is valuable. In some places up to 20 ft. or 30 ft. of milled peathas been removed from the bog and it is almost at the gravel stage. Nothing remains but the stumps of a few old oak trees.
Mr. Beirne
We asked Dr. Feehan in the preparation of his study to establish whether a balance could be achieved in the absence of dominant species in some of the bogs, for example, Boora Bog. It might not have worked out as well as one would wish. It will take aeons to regenerate peat, as it did to lay it down in the first place.
Would the committee's proposal start the process, regardless of whether it takes 10,000 years to accomplish?
Mr. Beirne
Yes it would.
Mr. Fallon
There will never again be peat on those bogs because the present climate does not lend itself to the creation of peat bog. The peat bogs were created here at the rate of 1in. per 100 years, taking a total of 10,000 years. That was facilitated by the climate of the time. Once it has gone it is gone for good because the climate is different now.
There will, however, be growth. There is significant regeneration already in part of those bogs. Wherever they are abandoned the bushes, flowers and birches start to grow again. The book, A Long-Lived Wilderness was based on the UCD study. We can leave copies of the book and the scientific study for the committee to examine. That would answer the Deputy’s questions.
The researchers in UCD whom we engaged have the expertise that we lack. The bog regenerates very quickly and with some human intervention could be a beautiful place.
Mr. Bernard Steele
I thank the Chairman and the committee for meeting us. Some of the members are familiar with the area we are discussing. I represent the Longford end of the area. It is an exciting proposal and there are exciting times ahead for the national wetlands wilderness park. We might not be here today but for John Fallon. He and Professor Feehan have given much time and effort to this project.
Senator Bannon mentioned the opening of the interpretative centre in Keenagh, and we must also consider the future of the Royal Canal, Abbeyshrule airport, Lough Ree and its amenities etc. This area needs people and we want to attract people into the centre of Ireland. It is located in two counties, Longford and Roscommon, and will probably spread to a third. It has major potential and will benefit the midlands greatly. We have seen the way Coillte has opened forests to the public. Now thousands of acres of State forest are an amenity for those who want to go for a walk or a stroll in these beautiful areas. The Bord na Móna bogs will be virtually cut out in the next 12 to 15 years and are ideal for a national wetlands wilderness park. That would be the envy of many countries in Europe. We can create a trail in the midlands that will retain visitors in the area and benefit hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and towns.
Mr. John Leavy
To reiterate the points made by Mr. Steele, while we have visitor attractions in Counties Longford and Roscommon, visitors see them when they are passing through on their way to somewhere else. However, everybody likes to get out and walk on country lanes. If walking trails were developed in the bogs, it would be a very good idea for those who have been advised by their doctors to walk, because they would be away from the petrol and diesel fumes of the rat race. The bog roads are already there and it is only a matter of time before the flora and fauna return. when work on the bogs stop. I remember reading that bog is formed in three layers, the first being formed underwater tens of thousands of years ago, the second layer is afforestation and the third layer is lichen and heather. I am not a botanist, but I foresee that the same process will start again. Coillte has plantations in bogland and I believe lichen will grow over that. It will be interesting to see what will grow when the bogs are not harvested. We do not know if plants formed under the water and dormant for millions of years could appear. I believe it could happen.
I welcome the delegation and congratulate them on their tremendous work during the past four years. They have identified a project that is worthy of support.
Does the delegation see a role for itself, working in conjunction with State agencies, in undertaking a feasibility study that will help in bringing this project to fruition?
Mr. Beirne
Yes. The agencies want to take into account the comprehensive study that has already been done by Dr. John Feehan. The problem is that nobody has fully considered what will become of the worked-out turf lands. Members will recall there was some experimentation in this regard several years ago such as the vegetable growing in Lullymore. However, this was not deemed to be economical for whatever reason. Our plan represents a good use to which cut-away peat plots may be put.
I thank Mr. Beirne for identifying the areas in need of attention by the State agencies. Those agencies have an obligation to find a solution in this regard. I congratulate the National Wetlands Wilderness Park Committee on the manner in which it has co-operated with the State agencies. The committee has not apportioned blame in any direction but has asked for the support of all. This committee should offer that support.
There is a reference on the first page of the delegation's submission to the need for places in which one can engage in "leisurely safe rambling". Is it envisaged that other rural activities apart from walking, such as horse-riding, cycling, fishing and water sports, will be included in the development of the wetlands park?
Mr. Fallon
A wide array of activities may be included. We have observed in the past that the potential of this park is limited only by our imagination. It is a matter for the State to decide which activities should be available.
The delegation mentioned working in co-operation with the local authorities. I was a member of Longford County Council for 19 years and I am conscious of the need to push for the establishment of more heritage towns and villages in Counties Longford and Roscommon. Only a small number of towns in the midlands were awarded heritage status in the last round. I understand it is the Office of Public Works which makes those decisions and the relevant local authorities must campaign hard for additional heritage towns in these counties.
I wish the group well in overcoming the administrative hurdles it faces and I assure it of my full support for the project.
Mr. Fallon
I thank the Senator.
The delegation makes the point that walking is the fastest growing leisure activity and an increasingly significant element of tourism. Ireland West Tourism is developing projects in County Roscommon and east Galway to market walking holidays in a part of the country which has not traditionally attracted significant numbers of tourists. To take up a point made by Senator Bannon, is it not part of the difficulty that the River Shannon seems to be a boundary rather an asset in terms of tourism promotion and development? This is evident in the existence of Midlands East Tourism and Ireland West Tourism.
The delegation observes in its document that the worst eventuality would be for Bord na Móna to suddenly and entirely abandon its activities. This would mean a certain amount of peat was left and that only one dominant type of growth prevailed throughout the region. What provides the most potential for biodiversity is to bring the peat lands down to the cut-away level, almost to the gravel. This view is a move away from the thinking that has prevailed in the past. When we had discussions in regard to the new power stations in the midlands, the general opinion was that Bord na Móna should be taken off the bogs. However, this is not the view espoused in Dr. Feehan's research. Will the delegation comment on this?
Is it the intention of Bord na Móna to retain and maintain the narrow gauge railway? This massive network of railway would be a significant asset for providing access into the midlands region. It will be of benefit to all but particularly those with disabilities for whom a narrow gauge railway can provide the type of accessibility that is not otherwise available.
Where does Bord na Móna see the matter going from here? What is the next step? How can this committee progress in seeing the project come to fruition? I am thankful for the presentation.
Mr. Fallon
The Deputy said abandonment by Bord na Móna is the worst scenario. However, it would be still an area where people could go but it would not be ideal as it would be too thickly dominated and overcome by birch. This is included in the study and is exactly what Professor Feehan is pushing, namely, regeneration with the minimum of human intervention.
The Deputy mentioned taking away all of the turf and going down to the gravel which is ideal. It would be a disaster to abandon a bog with seven or eight feet of peat remaining because every bit of it would still be a swamp unlike Bord na Móna bogs when they are cut away. People who have not walked those bogs do not realise that most of it is dry land down to the gravel. Some parts have water but generally there is more dry land. People usually associate cutaway bogs with huge swamps and bogholes. However, the Mountdillon bogs are not like this in that they are undulating and there is gravel up and down them. One could walk for miles through it in one's shoes, particularly in summer but also in winter, and that is the beauty of it. It is a safe place because dangerous excavations have never been carried out.
Bord na Móna has not made a definitive statement on the railways. However, it is understood the railways, or the bed of the railways, will be there when the bogs are abandoned and if this project takes over. This means one could walk from one end of the bog to the other. There would be no problem for people in wheelchairs.
I thank Mr. Fallon and his colleagues for their presentation. The committee was delighted to give them an opportunity to highlight the issue. They can be assured of our full support in their endeavours. Our deliberations are being monitored by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and we will pursue the matter with the Department, in particular its parks section.
Mr. Fallon
I compliment the county councils, Fáilte Ireland and the different bodies who have helped us over the years. Arigna Leader has been very helpful.
Thank you.