Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 September 2009
1001 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the interdepartmental working group on the implementation of the ban on turf cutting will report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30659/09]
View answer1002 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of submissions received by the interdepartmental working group on the implementation of the ban on turf cutting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30660/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1001 and 1002 together.
The Inter-Departmental Working Group on the Cessation of Turf Cutting in Designated Areas is considering the measures that may be required to implement the cessation, at the end of the year, on 32 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation. The Group has received 194 submissions from interested parties, as well as an estimated 300 expressions of interest, including short e-mails and petition signatures. The matters raised in the submissions are being considered currently. The Group is expected to report to me by end October 2009.
