Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 6

Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

349 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will come to an accommodation with landowners (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19042/97]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

350 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the current position on turf cutting in special areas of conservation designated areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19043/97]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

351 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the form of compensation which is being considered for turf cutters in County Roscommon; when an agreement will be reached in this regard; and if she will give details of the position in relation to commercial turf cutting for the 1998 season if agreement has not been reached. [19044/97]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 349, 350 and 351 together.

Under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), member states must protect their most important natural areas by designating them as special areas of conservation (SACs). The Directive identifies raised bogs as priority habitats and requires that they be given the highest level of protection.

In the context of Partnership 2000, it was agreed that a fair and proper level of compensation shall be paid having regard to the level and extent of restrictions and all reasonable losses arising as a result of SAC designation, and to the difference between the value pre-designation for environmental purposes and subsequent value of the land consequent on designation for environmental purposes and subsequent value of the land consequent on designation as an SAC.

There are some 200,000 ha of blanket bogs proposed for SAC status and the objective is to phase out turf cutting over five to ten years, although on sensitive or ecologically important areas a shorter time frame may apply.

Raised bogs are very much rarer both in Ireland and in Europe. Some 8,000 ha are being proposed for inclusion in SACs in Ireland. The imperative to take prompt action is very much more pressing in the case of raised bogs, therefore, and, consequently, it is intended that turf cutting should cease in these particular areas.

I have established a working group consisting of representatives of my Department's national parks and wildlife service (NPWS), the farming organisations and non-farming turf cutters to consider the elements that might form part of a package under which the cessation of turf cutting might be agreed.

The package of measures being considered in this context includes relocation to alternative bogs, outright purchase by the NPWS of bog plots and direct cash compensation or compensation in kind. For some individuals, a combination of parts of various elements will be the most suitable option and my Department will be as flexible as possible in trying to meet the needs of those affected.

As with all SAC restrictions, those who are not satisfied with offers of compensation for ceasing turf cutting will be able to refer the matter to independent arbitration.