I propose to take Questions Nos. 518 and 519 together.
Last April, together with Minister Hogan, I met Commissioner Potonik in Brussels, where we secured his support for developing a National Raised Bog Special Area of Conservation (SACs) Management Plan. This was in keeping with the recommendations of Justice Quirke following the Peatlands Forum and with the motion agreed unanimously by Dáil Éireann on 7 March 2012.
The proposed approach to the development of the National Plan is available on my Department’s website at www.npws.ie. The Plan will provide for the long-term protection of Ireland’s raised bog SACs, will address the needs of turf-cutters and can unlock the flexibility available for dealing with the most difficult of bogs, within the terms of the Habitats Directive.
Following a request for tenders, my Department is currently assessing proposals from prospective teams of consultants who will undertake the necessary scientific work to inform the future restoration and management of each of the SACs. Draft proposals for each of the sites will be discussed with affected land-owners as part of this process.
The detailed exploration of relocation sites is a key element in progressing the National Plan. In collaboration with the Peatlands Council, and with the assistance of Bord na Móna, my Department is actively engaging with turf cutting communities to consider how relocation can be progressed.
Some 766 applicants for compensation to my Department have indicated an interest in relocation. Arrangements for the relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs have been finalised, or are close to finalisation, for groups from 4 raised bog SACs. Out of the remaining 49 raised bog SACs, potential relocation sites have been identified for a further 31 SACs and work is ongoing on investigating these sites. Relocation is unlikely to be required, or is likely to be small-scale, for another 15 raised bog SACs due, for example, to the small number of turf cutters that have been active on these sites. Options for the remaining sites are also being investigated.
If, following an in-depth examination, there are a small number of SACs where there are genuinely no alternatives in terms of relocation, the National Plan may be able to provide some flexibility in this regard. I hope that the Plan can be completed by November, in time to submit an application to the European Commission under Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive, if required, prior to the 2014 cutting season.
My Department has stepped up contact with turf-cutting groups to seek long-term resolutions to the issues for their particular bogs, in compliance with EU and national law. The engagement and agreement of turf-cutting communities to its proposed approaches will be essential to meeting this timeline and to unlocking the potential flexibility it offers.
Officials of my Department have been in continuous contact with the organisation referred to by the Deputy over the past year and have met with members of the organisation on several occasions. My Department is currently awaiting a report from Bord na Móna on the feasibility of using the specific relocation site mentioned by the Deputy to accommodate turf-cutters from the nearby SAC. It will be discussed with the local committee once it has been received. My Department expects to receive this report within the next few weeks.
