Having regard to available budgetary resources, priority is being given under the bog purchase scheme this year to those wishing to sell their interest in the 32 raised bog sites which were nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation in 1999. For these sites, the derogation given by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use, expires in 2009.
The land in question is within Moanveanlagh Bog, a Special Area of Conservation designated in 2002, and the 10 year derogation period will not expire until 2012. Land transactions within this area, accordingly, will not qualify for priority attention this year.