Skip to main content
Normal View

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 January 2014

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

Questions (106, 107)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in the wake of his considerable efforts to achieve a resolution of issues relating to traditional turf cutters at various bogs throughout the country and recognising his welcome proposals in respect of natural heritage areas, NHAs, if he has sought approval or intends to seek approval from the European Commission to relocate some of the more sensitive special areas of conservation, SACs, to adjoining acceptable sites with reference to particularly sensitive areas where traditional turf cutting has continued without interruption for many years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4506/14]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has received a response from those affected by national heritage areas and special areas of conservation at various turf cutting locations throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4507/14]

View answer

Written answers

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.

Top
Share