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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 3

Written Answers. - Mechanical Turfcutting.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

451 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if machines will be allowed onto the bogs in the Bangor Erris area of North Mayo to cut turf in 1999. [9968/99]

Mechanical turfcutting in areas of blanket bog which are outside proposed special areas of conservation may continue as before. From the commencement of the 1999 turfcutting season it will be necessary to obtain my consent to cut turf in proposed SACs. Such consent will be available on notification to Dúchas, the Heritage Service of my Department provided that it is intended to cut turf for domestic purposes only. Where this consent is given, machines may be used. However, in no circumstances will the use of sausage machines be authorised in proposed SACs. Mechanical turf or peat extraction without my consent will be an offence and either or both the land owner and the machine operator will be liable to prosecution and fines.

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