Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018
664. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which full and final agreement has been reached with traditional turf cutters in respect of special areas of conservation, SACs, and natural heritage areas, NHAs; the number of cases still outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40090/18]
View answerIreland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. These Directives aim to ensure the protection of habitats and species which have been selected for conservation within special areas of conservation and special protection areas.
Significant efforts have been made by the State to resolve the issue of the protection of Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation within the framework of the Habitats Directive. This has included intense and on-going engagement with turf cutting interests, the farming community, non-governmental organisations and with the European Commission, as well as the establishment of a long-term compensation scheme, including relocation where feasible, for affected turf cutters.
The National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022, published in December 2017, sets out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed, including exploring the options in terms of certain provisions of article 6 of the Habitats Directive.
The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, has concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This entails the cessation of turf cutting on 36 natural heritage areas (including parts of 7 sites) as of 1 January 2017, the de-designation of 46 natural heritage areas (including parts of 7 sites) and the designation of 25 new sites as natural heritage areas. The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016, to provide for the implementation of a reconfiguration of the natural heritage area network arising from the 2014 Review, has been presented to the Dáil and is proceeding through the necessary stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
15,417 annual payments and 1,076 deliveries of turf have been made in respect of applications received under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation. 1,109 annual payments and 2 deliveries of turf have been made to applicants from raised bog natural heritage areas under the scheme. In addition, 1,870 once-off incentive payments of €500 have been made, of which 48 relate to natural heritage areas.
Relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs is a complex process. Notwithstanding this, progress in relocation has been achieved in a number of cases. In addition, my Department is moving forward in the relocation process. It is envisaged that the necessary infrastructure and drainage works will be completed at 3 relocation sites by the end of 2018. Work in ongoing, primarily, within the various stages of the planning process with a view to undertaking these works at another 5 sites.
Final resolution of all issues in relation to the protection of Ireland’s protected raised bogs will only be brought about by everyone working together, within the law, with my Department and with the Peatlands Council, which was established for the purpose of ensuring the input from all stakeholders.
