Michael Ring
Ceist:316 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when compensation will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [31637/01]
Written Answers. - Compensation Payments.
In March 1999, I announced arrangements regarding turf cutting in blanket bogs in candidate special areas of conservation, cSACs. These included cessation of the use of sausage machines and provisions for the purchase, at £250 per acre, of areas of blanket bog actually being cut and payment of compensation of £1,000 to domestic turf cutters who had been cutting regularly in the preceding five years and undertook to immediately cease cutting.
However, I understand that the person concerned has no wish to dispose of the lands involved and wants to continue to cut turf for domestic use. I am, therefore, arranging for staff of Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, to examine further the extent to which continued turf cutting for domestic purposes at this location is compatible with conservation of the cSAC.