Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2019
724. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the proposed timetable for the passing of the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 through all stages of the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28053/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, provides detail on arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 raised bog natural heritage areas. The Review concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network which entails:
i. The cessation of turf-cutting on 36 existing natural heritage areas, which will remain designated - this includes 7 sites to be divided, with part to be conserved and part de-designated;
ii. The complete de-designation of 46 natural heritage areas - including the relevant areas of the 7 sites to be divided - where it has been judged that their conservation potential is expected to be marginal and/or that restoration would be prohibitively expensive for the conservation benefits achieved. Domestic turf-cutting may continue on these sites, while larger scale or commercial turf cutting will continue to be regulated through other consent systems; and
iii. The designation as natural heritage areas of 25 currently undesignated raised bogs, which are in public ownership or where there is reduced turf cutting pressure. These sites are to be proposed for designation to make up for the loss of habitat within the natural heritage area sites where turf cutting is to continue.
The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016, to give effect to the outcome of the 2014 Review, was presented to the Dáil on 21 July 2016 and was passed by that House on 13 December 2018.
The Bill, as passed by Dáil Éireann, provides for me, as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, to complete the 2014 Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network and for a Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to conduct a review or reviews of blanket bog natural heritage areas, at his or her discretion.
The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 has passed Committee Stage in Seanad Éireann and is now to be scheduled for Report Stage in that House.
