Vol. 541 No. 2
839 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has investigated the circumstances surrounding a dispute with turf cutters at Monakeeba, Portumna, County Galway; if so, the conclusions drawn from this investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21870/01]
When Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, was alerted to ongoing operations in Barroughter Bog, candidate special area of conservation No. 231, it contacted representatives of turf cutters to discuss concerns relating to possible damage to the conservation value of the site resulting from these activities. A meeting between committee members, representing the turf cutters, and Dúchas officials took place on 20 September 2001. I am advised that this meeting produced agreement, subject to certain conditions, that operations may proceed and that confirmation in writing to that effect will shortly be issued to the representatives of the turf cutters.
840 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the procedure for carrying out essential maintenance work on special area of conservation bogs; the date on which this procedure was communicated to bog owners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21871/01]
There are no set procedures dealing with essential maintenance works on bogs within SACs. Proposed works are individually assessed in the context of the condition, size and location of the bog involved. Any conditions necessary in order to ensure that damage to the conservation value of the site is avoided or kept to a minimum are agreed with the landowners in question. Site information packs have been issued to all known landowners, and procedures relating to the continuation of turf cutting for a period up to ten years in areas already being cut were also outlined in my press release of 3 February 1999.
It is the practice of Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, to consult with landowners before undertaking maintenance works deemed essential to conserve bogs on lands within SACs that are not State-owned.
