Michael Ring
Ceist:249 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will allow people whose lands are designated as NHAs or SACs to cut turf for their own use. [3046/98]
Written Answers. - Turf Cutting.
Compensation will be available for landowners who can show that they have suffered a loss as a result of any restrictions arising from SAC designation. Where agreement is not reached on the amount payable, independent arbitration will be available. The EU Habitats Directive requires member states to designate their most important natural areas as special areas of conservation —SACs —and to protect them from anything that would damage their ecology. The directive identifies bogs as priority habitats.
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 now cease in these particular areas.