Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2015
225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she remains satisfied that all issues of concern to traditional turf cutters in County Kildare, in respect the various bogs affected, have been amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39955/15]
View answer226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she remains satisfied that all issues of concern to traditional turf cutters, in respect of the various bogs affected, have been amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39956/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.
Since this Government has come into office, huge efforts have been made to solve the issue of the protection of Ireland's raised bog special areas of conservation, within the framework of the EU Habitats Directive. This has included intense and ongoing engagement with turf cutting interests, farmers, non-governmental organisations and the European Commission.
A long-term compensation scheme has also been introduced to compensate cutters for their loss arising from the cessation. This cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme comprises a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a once-off incentive payment of €500.
Some 3,149 applications for raised bog special areas of conservation have been received under this scheme. 8,521 annual payments have been made in respect of the applications received. In addition, 1,501 once-off incentive payments and 772 turf deliveries have been made to applicants from these sites.
The draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan was published in January 2014. It sets out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed into the future and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed.
Notwithstanding the complexity involved, progress in relocating turf cutters to non-designated bogs is being achieved in a number of cases. Potential relocation sites had been identified for each of the raised bog special areas of conservation where relocation may be required. When relocation sites have been assessed as suitable, my Department has been seeking expressions of interest from turf cutters with a view to them moving to these sites.
For a number of these special areas of conservation, the relocation site identified may not be suitable or may not have the capacity to cater for the number of turf cutters who may wish to relocate there. In such cases, and in the context of the finalisation of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, my Department, in consultation with turf cutting interests, is considering the available options in terms of relocation and the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive. Under article 6.3 of the Directive, consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation where it can be shown that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the site. Under article 6.4 of the Directive, consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation for imperative reasons of overriding public interest.
Given the clear scientific evidence of the negative impact of turf extraction on raised bogs, it will only be possible to utilise the provisions of article 6.3 in a small number of cases. Similarly, the flexibility provided for under article 6.4, if required, will only be applicable to a small number of sites.
Some 171 applications from Mouds Bog and 60 applications from Ballynafagh Bog in County Kildare have been received under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation. 463 annual payments, 199 turf deliveries and 46 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from these sites.
Discussions are ongoing between my Department and local turf cutters with a view to relocation from Ballynafagh Bog to a non-designated bog, which has been assessed as suitable for relocation.
Lattins Bog, also known as Mouds North Bog, in County Kildare, has been assessed as a suitable relocation site for turf cutters from Mouds Bog. My Department had sought expressions of interest from qualifying applicants under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme with a view to relocation to this site. However, the level of interest received in relocation to this site has been muted.
I am advised that discussions have taken place between external experts, engaged by my Department, and local turf cutter representatives with a view to examining whether turf cutting could take place on Mouds Bog where it can be shown that such cutting would not have an adverse effect on the site, in accordance with article 6.3 of the Habitats Directive.
The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Areas, which is available to download from my Department’s website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Publications, provides details on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 raised bog natural heritage areas.
Carbury Bog natural heritage area in County Kildare is one of the natural heritage areas which are to be conserved. In the case of this bog, the review envisages the cessation of turf cutting on the site by 1 January 2017 to preserve its conservation value. Turf cutting may continue on the bog until that date, on plots that have been cut in the five year period prior to the Government decision of 14 January 2014 on the review.
The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been extended to land owners and turbary rights holders affected by the restrictions on turf cutting in raised bog natural heritage areas. No applications for compensation have been received, to date, in respect of Carbury Bog.
The Natural Heritage Area review also envisages the complete or partial de-designation of 46 existing natural heritage areas where turf cutting may continue into the future. Hodgestown Bog natural heritage area in County Kildare is one of those de-designation cases.
