Vol. 499 No. 4
83 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, she has to deal with traditional turf cutter's rights in bog areas of west Roscommon in good time for the turf cutting season. [2803/99]
I am pleased to say that following a series of consultations over the last year with representatives of the farming organisations and turf cutters, I am now in a position to announce arrangements to deal with turf cutters in areas where my Department is obliged under the EU habitats directive to ensure turf cutting will cease in areas proposed for designation as special areas of conservation, SACs.
Most damage to SACs is caused by industrial and commercial operations. Cutting for industrial and commercial purposes in these bogs must cease before the 1999 cutting season. In exceptional cases to protect employment, I may agree to allow cutting in 1999 where the operator has entered into a formal agreement with my Department that they will transfer operations to a non-SAC site next year and will cease operations within the SAC at an early date. Compensation will be assessed for these operations case by case and full compensation will be paid for proven actual losses.
In the case of domestic cutters, it is clear that, despite the fact that there are many more users than industrial and commercial operators, the damage done to the bogs by an individual in a year is small in most situations. I am conscious of the social and economic impacts immediate cessation would have on small communities and have decided to make exceptional arrangements in the case of cutters for domestic use. Cutters will be given a period of up to ten years to make new arrangements. Those who opt to continue cutting will be allowed to do so on the basis of a permit from my Department, which will specify the amount of turf to be cut and the method of cutting to be used. Use of sausage machines will not be permitted. Use of other sod turf mechanical harvesting machines will generally be permitted. People who have been cutting for their own personal domestic use will be permitted to cut the amount of turf needed for their own use only for up to ten years in less sensitive areas of the bog.
I will also be announcing an enhanced compensation package for cutters and will forward a copy of my announcement to the Deputy for his information.
