Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2005
597 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the compensation package for designated bog lands will apply to farmers who sold their bog in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30137/05]
View answerA cessation of turf cutting scheme was launched in March 1999 and provided standard rates for the purchase of raised bog and, in exceptional cases, blanket bog that had been statutorily proposed for designation as a special area of conservation or a natural heritage area. In July 2004, my Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar, under Sustaining Progress, which involved increases in the standard rates of compensation payment. This agreement incorporates retrospective provisions benefiting landowners who participated in the original 1999 scheme.
Land sold voluntarily to the Department in 1996 does not qualify for any additional payment. Such lands were sold subject to individual valuations which were agreed at the time as final settlements by both parties to the contracts of sale.
