I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 to 284, inclusive, together.
Ireland is required to protect habitats of European importance under the Habitats Directive 1992, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997, and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000. In accordance with the Directive, Ireland has nominated certain raised bog sites, which contain priority natural habitats under the Directive, as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs). In addition, Ireland has also designated other raised bogs as natural heritage areas (NHAs) under the 2000 Wildlife Act.
By 1999, 32 raised bog site had been designated as Special Areas of Conservation. Commercial cutting was stopped and a 10-year grace period was granted to those cutting turf for their own domestic use. This was intended to allow those involved sufficient time to find an alternative source of fuel. A similar 10-year period applies to bogs designated after 1999. Approval was not sought from the EU in relation to this matter. Arising from the ten-year grace period, cutting for domestic purposes may continue on the remaining 23 raised bog SACs until the end of 2011 and the 75 NHA raised bog sites until the end of 2013. I am providing a list, with counties of location and extent of raised bog habitat within each site, of the 32 raised bog sites nominated for designation as SACs by 1999 and the 23 nominated in 2002. I am also providing information on the 75 which were classified as NHAs in 2004.
Management plans for these sites will comprise measures to maintain them in, or restore them to, favourable conservation status as required by the Habitats Directive. This will involve a complete cessation of all turf-cutting on the sites and restorative work including in relation to artificial drainage channels which were dug to facilitate turf extraction. Detailed management plans have yet to be drawn up for most sites, and these will be established after detailed surveys. My Department has allocated some €5.4 million for measures to compensate turbary owners in 2010. This is intended to cater for existing arrangements, including the need to make provision for any commercial turf cutters who have established rights to compensation for mandatory cessation of their activities.
The work of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on the Cessation of Turf Cutting in Designated Raised Bogs is nearing completion and I expect to receive its report very shortly. I will conclude my consideration of the report and any recommendations it contains, including in relation to cost and timeframe for implementation, as rapidly as possible, and will then be in touch with affected individuals and representative groups in regard to the position.
SAC 1999 — Raised Bog
No#
|
Year
|
Site Code
|
Site Name
|
County
|
Hectares of SAC
|
% of Raised Bog Habitat
|
Hectares of Raised Bog Habitat
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
1
|
1997
|
000006
|
Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally)
|
Cavan/Meath
|
191.22
|
46
|
87.96
|
2
|
1997
|
000231
|
Barroughter Bog
|
Galway
|
174.02
|
53
|
92.23
|
3
|
1997
|
000248
|
Cloonmoylan Bog
|
Galway
|
554.42
|
71
|
393.64
|
4
|
1997
|
000285
|
Kilsallagh Bog
|
Galway
|
279.73
|
68
|
190.22
|
5
|
1997
|
000296
|
Lisnageeragh Bog and Ballinstack Turlough
|
Galway
|
455.49
|
62
|
282.40
|
6
|
1997
|
000301
|
Lough Lurgeen Bog/ Glenamaddy Turlough
|
Galway
|
1,162.11
|
51
|
592.68
|
7
|
1997
|
000326
|
Shankill West Bog
|
Galway
|
136.39
|
52
|
70.92
|
8
|
1997
|
000382
|
Sheheree (Ardagh) Bog
|
Kerry
|
17.07
|
38
|
6.49
|
9
|
1997
|
000391
|
Ballynafagh Bog
|
Kildare
|
156.46
|
43
|
67.28
|
10
|
1997
|
000440
|
Lough Ree
|
Ros/LD/WM
|
14,371.24
|
3
|
431.14
|
11
|
1997
|
000457
|
Derrynabrock Bog
|
Mayo/Roscommon Subsumed into SAC 2298
|
|
|
|
12
|
1997
|
000497
|
Flughany Bog
|
Mayo/Sligo
|
231.09
|
47
|
108.61
|
13
|
1997
|
000547
|
Tawnaghbeg Bog
|
Mayo Subsumed into SAC 2298
|
|
|
|
14
|
1997
|
000566
|
All Saints Bog and Esker
|
Offaly
|
369.68
|
52
|
192.23
|
15
|
1997
|
000572
|
Clara Bog
|
Offaly
|
836.54
|
44
|
368.08
|
16
|
1997
|
000575
|
Ferbane Bog
|
Offaly
|
153.08
|
76
|
116.34
|
17
|
1997
|
000580
|
Mongan Bog
|
Offaly
|
207.83
|
61
|
126.78
|
18
|
1997
|
000581
|
Moyclare Bog
|
Offaly
|
129.86
|
62
|
80.51
|
SAC 1999 — Raised Bog continued
No#
|
Year
|
Site Code
|
Site Name
|
County
|
Hectares of SAC
|
of Raised Bog Habitat
|
Hectares of Raised Bog Habitat
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
19
|
1997
|
000582
|
Raheenmore Bog
|
Offaly
|
210.01
|
65
|
136.51
|
20
|
1997
|
000585
|
Sharavogue Bog
|
Offaly
|
223.43
|
61
|
136.29
|
21
|
1997
|
000592
|
Bellanagare Bog
|
Roscommon
|
1,207.59
|
61
|
736.63
|
22
|
1997
|
000597
|
Carrowbehy/Caher Bog
|
Roscommon
|
343.83
|
54
|
185.67
|
23
|
1997
|
000600
|
Cloonchambers Bog
|
Roscommon
|
348.20
|
45
|
156.69
|
24
|
1997
|
000604
|
Derrinea Bog
|
Roscommon
|
86.18
|
70
|
60.33
|
25
|
1997
|
000614
|
Cloonshanville Bog
|
Roscommon
|
225.76
|
84
|
189.64
|
26
|
1997
|
000641
|
Ballyduff/Clonfinane Bog
|
Tipperary
|
269.56
|
69
|
186.00
|
27
|
1997
|
000647
|
Kilcarren-Firville Bog
|
Tipperary
|
676.67
|
55
|
372.17
|
28
|
1997
|
000679
|
Garriskil Bog
|
Westmeath
|
324.81
|
52
|
168.90
|
29
|
1997
|
001242
|
Carrownagappul Bog
|
Galway
|
487.53
|
65
|
316.89
|
30
|
1997
|
001818
|
Lough Forbes Complex
|
Longford/Ros
|
1,337.08
|
21
|
280.79
|
31
|
1997
|
002110
|
Corliskea/Trien/Cloonfelliv Bog
|
Galway/Ros
|
725.21
|
61
|
442.38
|
32
|
1999
|
000297
|
Lough Corrib
|
Galway/Mayo
|
25,253.37
|
2
|
505.07
|
|
|
|
1999 Raised Bog SAC
|
Sub-total
|
51,145.46
|
13.85
|
7,081.45
|
SAC 2002 — Raised Bog
No#
|
Year
|
Site Code
|
Site Name
|
County
|
Hectares of SAC
|
of Raised Bog Habitat
|
Ha of Raised Bog Habitat
|
33
|
2002
|
000595
|
Callow Bog
|
Roscommon
|
617.91
|
26
|
160.66
|
34
|
2002
|
002298
|
River Moy
|
Mayo/Ros/Sligo
|
15,415.62
|
4
|
616.62
|
35
|
2002
|
002331
|
Mouds Bog
|
Kildare
|
591.20
|
49
|
289.69
|
36
|
2002
|
002332
|
Coolrain Bog
|
Laois
|
145.95
|
42
|
61.30
|
37
|
2002
|
002333
|
Knockacoller Bog
|
Laois
|
130.39
|
39
|
50.85
|
38
|
2002
|
002336
|
Carn Park Bog
|
Westmeath
|
247.89
|
63
|
156.17
|
39
|
2002
|
002337
|
Crosswood Bog
|
Westmeath
|
206.61
|
51
|
105.37
|
40
|
2002
|
002338
|
Drumalough Bog
|
Roscommon
|
278.89
|
52
|
145.02
|
41
|
2002
|
002339
|
Ballynamona Bog and Corkip Lough
|
Roscommon
|
244.77
|
18
|
44.06
|
42
|
2002
|
002340
|
Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs
|
Meath/Westmeath
|
364.32
|
39
|
142.08
|
43
|
2002
|
002341
|
Ardagullion Bog
|
Longford
|
117.33
|
48
|
56.32
|
44
|
2002
|
002342
|
Mount Hevey Bog
|
Meath/Westmeath
|
483.78
|
41
|
198.35
|
45
|
2002
|
002343
|
Tullaher Lough and Bog
|
Clare
|
469.18
|
4
|
18.77
|
46
|
2002
|
002346
|
Brown Bog
|
Longford
|
76.68
|
66
|
50.61
|
47
|
2002
|
002347
|
Camderry Bog
|
Galway
|
280.72
|
70
|
196.50
|
48
|
2002
|
002348
|
Clooneen Bog
|
Longford
|
215.03
|
39
|
83.86
|
49
|
2002
|
002349
|
Corbo Bog
|
Roscommon
|
206.76
|
58
|
119.92
|
50
|
2002
|
002350
|
Curraghlehanagh Bog
|
Galway
|
278.22
|
55
|
153.02
|
51
|
2002
|
002351
|
Moanveanlagh Bog
|
Kerry
|
214.72
|
61
|
130.98
|
52
|
2002
|
002352
|
Monivea Bog
|
Galway
|
286.68
|
51
|
146.21
|
53
|
2002
|
002353
|
Redwood Bog
|
Tipperary
|
555.03
|
32
|
177.61
|
54
|
2002
|
002354
|
Tullaghanrock Bog
|
Roscommon
|
103.92
|
65
|
67.55
|
55
|
2002
|
002356
|
Ardgraigue Bog
|
Galway
|
183.54
|
43
|
78.92
|
|
|
|
2002 Raised Bog SAC
|
Sub-totals
|
21,715.14
|
14.97
|
3,250.45
|
|
|
|
Total SAC Raised Bog Area
|
72,860.60
|
14.18
|
10,331.89
|
Code
|
Site Name
|
County
|
Area (HA)
|
000220
|
Lough Namucka Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
276.46
|
000221
|
Moorfield Bog/Farm Cottage NHA
|
Galway
|
139.12
|
000222
|
Suck River Callows NHA
|
Galway/Ros
|
3,396.91
|
000229
|
Ballygar Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
165.58
|
000235
|
Bracklagh Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
104.93
|
000245
|
Clooncullaun Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
202.61
|
000247
|
Slieve Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
268.39
|
000249
|
Cloonoolish Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
119.76
|
000254
|
Crit Island West NHA
|
Galway
|
733.77
|
000267
|
Funshin Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
182.76
|
000280
|
Castle Ffrench West Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
159.00
|
000281
|
Keeloges Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
324.53
|
000283
|
Kilmore Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
160.49
|
000284
|
Kilnaborris Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
167.86
|
000292
|
Leaha Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
102.19
|
000307
|
Lough Tee Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
448.75
|
000310
|
Meneen Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
217.41
|
000321
|
Raford River Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
245.83
|
000333
|
Anna More Bog NHA
|
Kerry
|
128.99
|
000337
|
Doon Lough NHA
|
Clare
|
581.80
|
000422
|
Aghnamona Bog NHA
|
Leitrim/Longford
|
410.63
|
000564
|
River Little Brosna Callows NHA
|
Offaly/Tipp
|
1,322.87
|
000565
|
Clonydonnin Bog NHA
|
Offaly/Wmeath
|
138.07
|
000570
|
Black Castle Bog NHA
|
Offaly
|
167.69
|
000591
|
Bella Bridge Bog NHA
|
Roscommon
|
198.63
|
000603
|
Cornaveagh Bog NHA
|
Roscommon
|
123.97
|
000605
|
Derrycanan Bog NHA
|
Roscommon
|
349.87
|
000640
|
Arragh More Bog NHA
|
Tipperary
|
419.51
|
000642
|
Ballymacegan Bog NHA
|
Tipperary
|
107.48
|
000648
|
Killeen Bog NHA
|
Tipperary
|
217.27
|
000652
|
Monaincha Bog/Ballaghmore Bog NHA
|
Laois/Tipperary
|
293.50
|
000674
|
Ballynagrenia and Ballinderry Bog NHA
|
Westmeath
|
292.74
|
000677
|
Cloncrow Bog (New Forest) NHA
|
Westmeath
|
234.32
|
000684
|
Lough Derravaragh NHA
|
Westmeath
|
1,413.45
|
000691
|
Rinn River NHA
|
Leitirm
|
455.93
|
000694
|
Wooddown Bog NHA
|
Leitrim/Longford
|
196.99
|
000890
|
Cangort Bog NHA
|
Offaly/Tipp
|
127.14
|
000921
|
Screggan Bog NHA
|
Offaly
|
179.64
|
000937
|
Scohaboy Bog NHA
|
Tipperary
|
392.96
|
000985
|
Lough Kinale and Derragh Lough NHA
|
Cavan
|
414.30
|
000993
|
Ayle Lower Bog NHA
|
Clare
|
85.67
|
001020
|
Loughanilloon Bog NHA
|
Clare
|
95.69
|
001227
|
Aughrim Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
263.57
|
001240
|
Capira/Derrew Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
118.64
|
001244
|
Castle Ffrench East Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
204.28
|
001254
|
Derrinlough Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
246.89
|
001255
|
Derrynagran Bog and Esker NHA
|
Galway
|
110.11
|
001264
|
Eskerboy Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
132.01
|
001280
|
Killaclogher Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
492.20
|
001283
|
Killure Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
478.46
|
001303
|
Moorfield Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
208.50
|
001324
|
Jamestown Bog NHA
|
Meath
|
201.23
|
001352
|
Bunnaruddee Bog NHA
|
Kerry
|
151.87
|
001388
|
Carbury Bog NHA
|
Kildare
|
131.23
|
001393
|
Hodgestown Bog NHA
|
Kildare
|
128.98
|
001405
|
Cashel Bog (Leitrim) NHA
|
Leitirm
|
128.59
|
001420
|
Corracramph Bog NHA
|
Leitrim
|
222.68
|
001423
|
Cloonageeher Bog NHA
|
Leitrim
|
284.72
|
001448
|
Forthill Bog NHA
|
Longford
|
121.97
|
001450
|
Mount Jessop Bog NHA
|
Longford
|
147.53
|
001580
|
Girley Bog NHA
|
Meath
|
146.38
|
001582
|
Molerick Bog NHA
|
Meath
|
88.57
|
001623
|
Carrickynaghtan Bog NHA
|
Roscommon
|
599.97
|
001652
|
Tullaghan Bog (Roscommon) NHA
|
Roscommon
|
99.46
|
001684
|
Lorrha Bog NHA
|
Tipperary
|
82.23
|
001725
|
Nure Bog NHA
|
Westmeath
|
225.36
|
001812
|
Lough Garr NHA
|
Westmeath
|
218.99
|
001853
|
Nore Valley Bogs NHA
|
Tipperary
|
272.38
|
002033
|
Daingean Bog NHA
|
Offaly
|
179.59
|
002072
|
Lisnanarriagh Bog NHA
|
Roscommon
|
109.01
|
002307
|
Cloonloum More Bog NHA
|
Clare
|
167.52
|
002323
|
Milltownpass Bog NHA
|
Westmeath
|
118.39
|
002344
|
Annaghbeg Bog NHA
|
Galway
|
273.12
|
002355
|
Hawkswood Bog NHA
|
Offaly
|
136.74
|
002357
|
Clonreher Bog NHA
|
Laois
|
186.00
|
|
Total Area
|
|
22,443
|