Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
296 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding turf cutting harvesting rights in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Fermanagh; when a date will issue for an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33155/12]
View answer297 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the panel for hearing and determining appeals on turf cutting and harvesting rights will begin its work; when appeals will be heard; when will appellants be advised of their appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33156/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together.
Under the provisions of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, the carrying out of certain works in natural heritage areas, including the extraction of turf, cannot take place without my consent, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Consent was refused for the works referred to in the Deputy's Question, as they were considered to be damaging to the natural heritage area. I understand that the individual in question has appealed against this decision. My Department has established a panel from which to draw upon barristers or solicitors of not less than seven years standing to hear and determine appeals against decisions to refuse consent for the carrying out of certain works in natural heritage areas.
An arbitrator has been appointed to hear and determine the appeal in question. I am advised that my Department has written to the solicitor acting for the individual concerned notifying him of this appointment and in relation to agreeing a date for the appeal hearing.
