As the Deputy is aware, the Quirke Report, which issued following the Peatland Forum held in Athlone at the end of February/beginning of March, contained recommended follow-up actions in respect of 41 of the 53 SAC raised bogs. As a result, my Department has put in place new arrangements focusing on bringing forward relocation projects to meet the needs of the affected communities. This has involved:
contacting communities affected by cessation in line with the recommendations contained in the report;
accompanying local community representatives on site visits;
identifying potential relocation sites;
making contact with landowners in a number of cases with a view to commencing negotiations on bog purchases; and
making arrangements for assessing the suitability of a number of potential relocation sites in terms of peat quality/quantity, access and other relevant infrastructure, as well as the potential numbers that could be accommodated in these relocation sites.
Contact with individual communities has taken place at Ministerial level, senior official level and at regional staff level.
It should be noted that the issues involved in following up the Quirke Report recommendations are complex. Each bog and each community is unique and the approach to engagement also varies from bog to bog. In the circumstances, it is not possible at this stage to set out the information in the form requested by the Deputy. However, I can assure him that my Department will follow up with all queries received from either individuals or local committees.