Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
85. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will remove Coolrain bog, County Laois from the list of bogs that are designated as special areas of conservation when the overall plan is being submitted to the EU Commission. [27546/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan 2017-2022, due to be published in the coming period subject to Government approval, will set out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed.
Within the framework of the Plan, my Department is considering the available options in terms of relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs and other alternatives and the invocation of certain provisions of the EU Habitats Directive. Under article 6.3 of the Directive consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation where it can be shown that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the site. Under article 6.4 of the Directive consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation for imperative reasons of overriding public interest and where there are no suitable alternatives.
Given the clear scientific evidence of the negative impact of turf extraction on raised bogs, it will only be possible to utilise the provisions of article 6.3 in a small number of cases. Similarly, the proof of overriding public interest under article 6.4 is very challenging and at best, will only be applicable to a small number of sites. In addition, if an article 6.4 case can be and is successfully made, compensatory measures will be required to offset the negative effects of any losses to the habitat concerned and to ensure the overall coherence of the raised bog special area of conservation network.
The position in relation to Coolrain Bog special area of conservation, amongst other sites, is being considered within the framework of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan.
