Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
17 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the fact that 11 of 53 protected bogs are being cut by turf cutters, if he has had any success in securing a 12 month extension in the derogation from the EU on these bogs; if he will provide an update regarding the talks with the EU on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27242/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra489 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he and/or his Department have engaged in outgoing discussions with the EU Commission on the issue of efforts to resolve difficulties arising from the displacement of traditional turf cutting at various bogs throughout the country; the success of any such deliberations; if the various compromise positions put forward over the past year have been accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27502/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra491 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the various attempts made to resolve issues arising from displacement of traditional cutters from various bogs throughout the country in the past two years; the extent to which any such proposals have been accepted by each of the parties involved including the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27504/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 489 and 491 together.
Earlier this year, at the request of the Government, Mr. Conor Skehan, Chairman of the Peatlands Council, convened a Peatlands Forum, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice John Quirke, and involving my Department, the IFA, the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, Bord na Móna, and representatives of turf-cutting and environmental groups. This Forum allowed each community affected by the cessation of turf-cutting to put forward their views on the issues and follow-up steps were identified for each bog.
The report on the Forum from Justice Quirke also recommended that a national plan should be prepared to examine how the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation are to be protected. This recommendation was agreed to by Government. Dáil Éireann also gave unanimous support to a Private Members' Motion, which called for such a national plan to be put in place. On the 3rd of April, I, together with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., met with EU Environment Commissioner Potoènik in Brussels, where we secured the support of the European Commission for developing a National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan. This plan will be developed over the coming 12 months.
The plan will be wide-ranging, looking at the practical aspects of conserving and managing the affected bogs and will allow solutions for turf-cutters to be explored in detail. In the context of such a plan, it may be possible to bring some flexibility, within the terms of the EU Habitats Directive, that could allow limited cutting within a small number of sites. The plan will be progressed both at local level for each site and through the Peatlands Council.
An extension to the "derogation" is not legally possible. While the Plan is being prepared, no unauthorised turf cutting can take place on the protected bogs. Any unauthorised cutting will be dealt with through prosecution and cross-reporting. The State may also pursue contractors and turf-cutters involved in illegal damage to meet remediation costs.
The Government has put in place a flexible package of compensation for affected turf cutters. Those affected who want to cease cutting turf completely can apply for compensation of €1,500 per annum for the next 15 years. Eligible cutters are also entitled to a one-off payment of €500 for this year. This means the total compensation package is worth €23,000, index linked and tax-free.
For those who wish to continue cutting, my Department is working to relocate turf cutters to alternative bogs. Turf has now been cut on the first of these relocation bogs and others are being prepared or are being identified in consultation with affected cutters. Where relocation bogs are not yet available, turf-cutters can choose between a €1,500 payment or the delivery of 15 tonnes of turf, each year while the relocation bog is being identified, acquired and prepared for cutting. They will also be entitled to the one-off €500 payment. To date, more than 2,100 applications for compensation have been received by my Department with payments issued to some 550 applicants already. The first deliveries of turf have also been made in recent days.
My Department is maintaining ongoing contact with the European Commission both in terms of the development of the national plan and in regard to updating the Commission on the unauthorised cutting to date and the steps being pursued on enforcement.
