I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together.
My Department has initiated a public consultation process on the three documents - the draft National Peatlands Strategy, the draft National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Management Plan and the Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), which I published recently. Copies of these documents are available on my Department’s website at www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Publications. Written submissions are invited until 18 April.
In general, turf-cutting on raised bog SACs is incompatible with their conservation and will not be possible in future. There are some exceptions which are dealt with the draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan.
De-designation of SACs is legally possible only in very limited circumstances, as provided for in the EU Habitats Directive. The draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan explores the possibility of using the limited flexibility within the terms of the Habitats Directive for continued turf-cutting on a small number of raised bog SACs where relocation possibilities are shown not to exist. In such a case, a robust case would need to be submitted to the EU Commission under Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive and compensatory measures provided to make up for any damage to the SAC network.
However, it has not been possible at this point to determine whether the draft Plan could form the basis of a case to the EU Commission that an exception should be made for continued turf-cutting on any particular site, notwithstanding the damage it would cause. The issue is dealt with in more detail in Chapter 6 of the draft Plan.
I hope that the publication of the draft Plan and the consultation process now underway will encourage further consideration by turf-cutters and their representatives in regard to this issue and their engagement with me and my Department in the finalisation of the Plan.