Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:29 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the current position of discussions between her Department and bog owners in County Roscommon. [20628/97]
Written Answers. - Designated Areas.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:36 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the current progress, if any, which has been made to reach agreement with bog owners in west Roscommon. [20630/97]
Willie Penrose
Ceist:44 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when the acreage of bog designated under the special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas schemes will be handed over to the National Parks and Wildlife Services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19453/97]
Jim Higgins
Ceist:65 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when she will reach agreement with turf cutters in County Roscommon; and if she will allow the harvest of turf in 1998 if agreement is not reached prior to the commencement of the 1998 season. [20631/97]
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:68 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when she hopes agreement will be reached with bog owners in County Roscommon. [20629/97]
Denis Naughten
Ceist:82 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will allow turf to be cut in designated bogs in 1998 if agreement has not been reached prior to the 1998 season. [20627/97]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 29, 36, 44, 65, 68 agus Uimh. 82 le chéile.
The inclusion of land, whether bogland or otherwise, within proposed Natural Heritage Areas or Special Areas of Conservation does not in any way change the ownership of that land. Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) are still only at the proposal stage and will not be formally designated until the necessary amendment of the Wildlife Act, 1976, has been passed by the Oireachtas.