Turbary Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2011

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Questions (305)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

310 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is widespread opposition to the proposal to transfer the fee simple and rights of turbary on plot numbers 7, 17, 19, 25-33, 44-49, 52, 10.307 hectares in the townland of Meelickmore, Barony of Dunmore, County Galway from the Irish Land Commission to the National Parks and Wildlife Service; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the transfer of fee simple only and subject to rights of turbary of plot numbers 22, 23, 24 are also involved; if he is aware that the local land-holders adjacent to this property tendered to purchase these bogs a number of years ago but were never notified of the result and they urgently want this process to be stopped, particularly in view of the difficult circumstances in which many bog owners now find themselves across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38402/11]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney)

As successor to the former Irish Land Commission I am required, through my Department, to ensure that notice of the transfer or disposal of fee simple and turbary rights are published in Iris Oifigiuil and in one local newspaper circulating in the county in which the land is situate. This requirement has been met for the fee simple and turbary rights on hands in the townland of Meelickmore, Co. Galway. My Department's policy is, where possible, to give priority to small holders and, in the case of turbary rights, only to the fee simple owners. The exceptions to this are where the fee simple and turbary rights are transferred to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) either because they fall within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a National Heritage Area (NHA) or as re-location bog in order to compensate land owners and land users affected by the restrictions on turf cutting under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme. In this case, the NPWS is the most suitable candidate as it requires the plots in question as replacement plots for individuals prevented from cutting on designated bogs.