Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014
3. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht with regard to the permit system that he has put in place for owners of natural heritage area bogs, the way the owners are to access this system; the way persons are supposed to know if they have a bog with such a designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10844/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy question is about how this proposed permit system will work on NHA bogs and how people were notified about this. The Minister was asked on Shannonside Radio if people were contacted and he answered that "they probably were".
The recently published Review of Ireland’s Raised Bog Natural Heritage Areas, which is available to download from my Department’s website, provides detail on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 raised bog NHAs. Based on a comprehensive scientific assessment, the review has proposed a reconfiguration of the network of raised bog NHAs, which will improve conservation outcomes by increasing the area of endangered habitats within the network of sites. At the same time, it will exclude the most heavily cut sites, thereby avoiding any impact on over 80% of active turfcutters currently in the NHA network; from over 3,000 to around 500 cutters.
The review envisages the complete or partial de-designation of 46 existing NHAs where turf-cutting may continue into the future. In these de-designation cases, it will not be necessary for individuals to seek consent to cut turf. The review also envisages effective cessation of turf cutting on 36 NHAs by 1 January 2017, in order to preserve their conservation value. Management plans, which will be subject to environmental assessment, will be prepared for each site. Turf-cutters on these sites will require consent from my Department before cutting this year. The review further envisages the proposed designation of 25 new sites as raised bogs NHAs later this year to replace the habitat lost through de-designation of the more heavily cut sites. Many of these proposed sites are in public ownership, or have relatively few or no turf cutters.
It has been possible to subdivide seven current NHAs in such as way as to allow for a continuation of turf-cutting in one part and conservation elsewhere on the site. This has resulted in a total of 82 separate units within the original 75 NHAs.
My Department has written directly to more than 3,600 landowners who may have an interest in the NHAs where consent will be required from this year. Site maps were enclosed with those letters, as well as advice on how to obtain an application form for the compensation scheme or consent to continue cutting. Last week, notices explaining future turf cutting arrangements on these sites were placed in local newspapers, which circulate in the areas where the relevant NHA bogs are located. Any turf-cutter required to cease turf-cutting on an NHA is being offered compensatory measures similar to those available to turf-cutters from raised bog special areas of conservation. Such compensation will be available to qualifying persons with effect from 2014. Application forms for the compensation scheme or for permits to continue cutting over the next three years are available on request from my Department. Relevant contact details are published on my Department's websites.
When the advertisements were placed in the newspaper, turf cutters contacted the number provided and were told that resources are stretched at the NPWS. They were told that they have not got the permit system ready. I contacted the NPWS 20 minutes ago and again they told me that resources are stretched and they do not have anything ready. They could not tell me the details of how the permit worked. Initially, they wanted to know in what bog was I cutting my turf. People will be going out in three or four weeks to cut their turf, depending on the weather, but no permit system has been organised or put in place yet. It is important to protest at the idea that people would have to ask permission anyway to do something they have done for centuries. It is like a child in school having to ask permission to go to the toilet. They are not children.
I am glad that the Deputy raised this matter here and I will make immediate inquiries as to the availability of permits. This service should be available to those people who are affected. I will certainly ensure that it will be made available. If there is a problem with the existing system, we certainly need to improve it because I agree that these people deserve the right to know how to apply for the permit and whether they have to get one or not. We have written to them - 3,600 letters have gone out - and advertisements have been placed in local newspapers where there would be affected bog owners, but if there is still confusion, I will ensure that will be improved by a communication. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter.
Sadly, there is no system in place as yet. The Minister has advertised that there is a system in place, but that is not the case. Apparently, he has written to thousands of people, but a system has still not been established. That is a failure on his part. The same mistakes are being made in the bogs the Minister is considering excluding and those he intends to include. In Carricknaughton near Athlone, pasture land is going to be included in one of these areas and the person who owns it will be obliged to obtain permission to use it.
I take the opportunity to make a point on a particular matter which may not be raised in the House today. I condemn whoever was responsible for shooting a white-tailed eagle in County Tipperary. Many turf cutters and I are of the view that those involved are gurriers. What they did was shameful.
I am not aware of any pasture land being included in turf-cutting areas. The Deputy referred to permits and advice being made available. I take what he said very seriously and will address the matter immediately. This is a very important and sensitive matter. As Minister, I am responsible for ensuring both European and national laws are enforced and the Deputy is representing his constituency. We are, therefore, approaching the matter from different angles. However, there is a system in place and its existence must be made known. In addition, the service must also be available. I will ensure this is the case and will follow up on the matter immediately.
I join the Deputy in condemning the people who ruthlessly shot the white-tailed eagle in County Tipperary. We are trying to repopulate the country with eagles.
We are united on this one.
I welcome what the Deputy said about this matter.
