As the Deputy is aware, on 6 and 7 March 2012, Dáil Éireann debated a Private Members' Motion regarding turf-cutting on raised bogs nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation. The motion, passed unanimously by the Dáil, requested the Government to "engage actively with the European Commission to seek a resolution within the terms of the Habitats Directive, and to prepare and submit a National Raised Bog Restoration Plan to the Commission as a matter of urgency". The Government undertook to convene a high-level meeting with the Commission at an early date to progress matters.
Arising from that undertaking, the Government arranged a meeting with Environment Commissioner Potoènik to discuss the issue. This meeting took place in Brussels on the morning of 3 April 2012. Those travelling from Ireland for the meeting did so on the day of the meeting or the evening before.
The Irish delegation comprised the following individuals:
Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government; Ambassador Tom Hanney, Ireland's Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU; Mr. Conor Skehan, Chairman of the Peatlands Council; Mr. Joe Hamill, Secretary General, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Ms Geraldine Byrne-Nason, Second Secretary General for European Affairs Department of the Taoiseach; Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh, Assistant Secretary, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Mr. Damien Garvey, Special Adviser to Minister Deenihan.
The European Commission delegation comprised Mr. Janez Potoènik, EU Environment Commissioner, and three officials.
This meeting was one of a number of engagements with the Commission, which have been held at Ministerial and official level since the Government came into office.
