Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2014
237. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the terms of reference of the Peatlands Council appeals sub-group; the membership of the group; the number of appeals received by the group; the number of cases on hand and the numbers determined; the current processing time for such appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39598/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn April 2011, the Government agreed to the setting up of an independently chaired Peatlands Council to assist the Government and stakeholders regarding certain issues related to the management of Ireland’s peatlands, in particular bogs designated as Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas. Applicants to the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme operated by my Department may, further to the option of an internal review, appeal their case to the Peatlands Council in the event that they are informed that the qualifying criteria of the scheme have not been met. The Council may then make recommendations to me, as Minister, on such cases.
As part of the appeal process the Council decided in May 2013 to establish an Appeals Sub-Group consisting of 3 members of the Council. Membership of the Appeals Sub-Group is a matter for the Peatlands Council. The present membership comprises representation of Irish Rural Link, the Irish Peatlands Conservation Council and Bord na Móna.
The Council received one request for appeal in 2013 which was duly considered and a recommendation made to the then Minister. Earlier this year, it was decided to review the approach to appeals and to draw up full Terms of Reference in relation to the appeals function. These Terms of Reference will be published on-line once the review is finalised. I hope that this will be concluded shortly.
Two further appeals have been received which I understand will be dealt with as soon as the review is complete and appeals should be decided upon within an 8 week period.
