Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
85. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the reason the decommissioned Bord na Móna, Derryadd peat bog, at Mid Shannon Wilderness Park, County Longford, continues to have large volumes of water drained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41814/23]
View answerI welcome the opportunity to outline the position on these matters, but I should point out that Bord na Móna is a commercial State company. Operational matters such as land use are the responsibility of the board and management team and not matters in which I as Minister have any direct role or function.
Bord na Móna's repositioning as a climate solutions company has been progressing for many years and through its brown to green strategy, Bord na Móna is involved in renewable power generation, recycling, resource recovery and peatland rehabilitation.
Peatlands play an important role in carbon storage. Rehabilitated peatlands in particular have the potential to contribute significantly to reducing emissions within the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector. Peatlands cover about 21% of Ireland's landscape and contain approximately two thirds of Ireland's carbon stock.
As part of the Just Transition, my Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for the administration of the Bord na Móna Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS). The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) hold the function of Scheme Regulator to allow for the necessary oversight of the rehabilitation and restoration works that take place under EDRSS.
Bord na Móna, as operator of the scheme, must submit a plan for each bog to both the NPWS in respect of the EDRSS scheme and to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in respect of the works that are required to meet their Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence obligations. These plans must be adhered to.
Water-level management is often a key part of the rehabilitation process for peat bogs. Indeed, the management of water levels on peatlands designated for rehabilitation is essential for many sites before decommissioning and rehabilitation can commence. Some sites further require that this process continues until rehabilitation measures have been fully completed. Once this rehabilitation has been achieved, the associated drainage management plan for the specific bog will indicate if, post-rehabilitation, some further pumping may be required to help manage water levels on an on-going basis. This is to ensure that rehabilitation won’t negatively impact on surrounding farmlands or to maintain water levels at the optimal level for successful rehabilitation.
A vital component of this process requires Bord na Móna to consult with relevant stakeholders and landowners that may be impacted by the EDRSS Scheme. Thus, each bog plan must be tailored to the surrounding area in a practical manner and be developed and approved within stringent parameters of the Scheme’s Regulatory Controls.
Roughly two thirds of the Derryadd bog will undergo enhanced rehabilitation as part of EDRSS. Any lands which are included in the scheme, either for Derryadd or any other bogs, are specifically precluded from future commercial use to ensure that the scheme is in line with State Aid rules. No lands that are rehabilitated under the EDRRS shall be included in any of Bord na Móna’s wind farm developments.
With regard to the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park, it was a concept idea for the sustainable and nature-based future of South Longford and the relevant Bord na Móna bogs which was included in the Longford County Development Plans 2015 – 2021 and 2021 to 2027. Progress on the Plan was slow during Covid but Bord na Móna have progressed with the rehabilitation of some of their bogs in Longford.
The Wilderness Park idea has now been subsumed into the Lough Ree Biosphere Reserve proposal for South Longford, East Roscommon and Northwest Westmeath. The three relevant Local Authorities are working with the NPWS and other partners in the delivery of this proposal. While the Lough Ree Biosphere Reserve remains a concept, elements have been implemented. As the Minister for Transport I announced funding in June 2021 of €1.46m for the development of new greenways and footpaths linking the Royal Canal to Corlea Bog in Longford. This in addition to the Council’s greenways at Corlea and Clondra on former Bord na Móna rail lines and vehicular access routes.
For their part, Bord na Móna have also stated that they are committed to keeping the local community informed about the projects as they progress and will continue to provide updates on the project.
