Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2019
227. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address matters in relation to a plot of land designated for turf cutting (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9931/19]
View answerThe 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 EU Habitats Directive.
In certain areas where there is a difficulty in finding relocation solutions for turf cutters, my Department, in consultation with turf cutter interests and within the framework of the National Plan, is considering whether the provisions of article 6.3 of the Directive could be utilised to provide for domestic turf cutting within areas of a number of special areas of conservation. Under article 6.3 of the Directive consent by the relevant public authority could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation where it can be shown by rigorous scientific investigations that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the (ecological) integrity of a European site (special area of conservation or special protection area).
As set out in the National Plan , the site referred to in the Deputy's Question is one of the sites being examined as regards the potential for domestic turf cutting on the site in accordance with the provisions of the Directive. Detailed scientific investigations carried out on this site indicate that domestic turf cutting could take place on the smaller plot of land, referred to in the Deputy's Question, without impacting on the integrity of the special area of conservation site, subject to consent from the relevant public authority. Consultations would also have to take place with the landowners and turbary right holders, if any.
For the larger plot of land, referred to in the Deputy's Question, a further phase of concentrated geophysical and hydrological investigations is required to assess the level of risk of peat failure (bog burst) if domestic turf cutting would take place in this area. I understand that contractors, engaged by my Department, would be available to commence those investigations from next month.
I am advised that these two areas would appear to have sufficient capacity to accommodate those who would still wish to cut turf for domestic purposes within the special area of conservation.
Officals from my Department as well as contractors engaged by it are willing to continue to liaise with the Deputy and local turf cutter representatives in relation to this issue.
