Turf cutting debacle raised in Dáil

In Agriculture by Denis Naughten

Local TD, Denis Naughten, yesterday raised the issue of the turf cutting ban in the Dáil, seeking an update on the actions by the Government.
 
Responding to the issue Minister Jimmy Deenihan stated that “progress is being made in relation to the relocation option under the scheme following the work done at the Peatlands Forum. In this regard, my Department is making arrangements for assessing the suitability of a number of potential relocation sites”

However, the Minister also said “To date, there has been one significant incidence of cutting on one protected bog, with more minor incidences on 4 others. My Department, with the support of An Garda Síochána, are taking appropriate enforcement action and are continuing to gather evidence for the purposes of pursuing the individuals involved”.

Reacting to the Ministers response, Denis Naughten said that “if the level of interest taken by the Heritage section of the Ministers Department over the last 15 days, had been taken over the last 15 years, then this issue could have been resolved to everybody’s satisfaction long ago”.

“It is now vital that the Minister starts, without delay, to immediately implement the terms of the Quirke report, which provides a blueprint to resolve this issue once and for all” concluded Denis Naughten.
 
DAIL QUESTION

NO.109,135,416, 418,428,429

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which agreement has been reached with the respective turf-cutting interests affected by special areas of conservation measures; if in respect of any particular site, it has been possible to offer extra or alternative conservation area in lieu of actual turf-cutting sites thus enabling traditional turf-cutting to continue over longer periods while at the same time meeting EU conservation targets; if such proposals could meet the requirements both of the EU and the turf cutters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Bernard J. Durkan.

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 1st May, 2012.

Ref No: 21601/12 Lottery: 1 Proof: 129

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to address the ongoing issues regarding the implementation of the ban on turf cutting; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Denis Naughten.

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 1st May, 2012.

Ref No: 21604/12 Lottery: 43 Proof: 159

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will allow the turf cutters who own banks on Moneybeg and Claire Island Bogs in Ross, Mount Neugent to continue cutting turf on their bogs (details supplied).

– Peadar Tóibín.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 1st May, 2012.

There is no alternative bog in the vicinity and the state has not been in contact with regard any alternatives.

Ref No: 21542/12

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which an amicable solution has been found with turf cutters affected by special areas of conservation or other such conservation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 1st May, 2012.

Ref No: 21985/12 Proof: 568

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will report on recent discussions with the EU regarding implementing the turf cutters and contractors association proposals..

– Clare Daly.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 1st May, 2012.

Ref No: 22031/12

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding turf cutting following the Private Members motion agreed in March..

– Clare Daly.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 1st May, 2012.

Ref No: 22032/12

REPLY

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Jimmy Deenihan, T.D.)

I propose to take Questions Nos 109, 135, 416, 418, 428 and 429 together.

Earlier this year, at the request of the Government, Mr Conor Skehan, Chairman of the Peatlands Council, convened a Peatlands Forum, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice John Quirke, and involving my Department, the IFA, the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, Bord na Móna, and representatives of turf-cutting and environmental groups. This Forum allowed each community affected by the cessation of turf-cutting to put forward their views on the issues and follow-up steps were identified for each bog.

The report on the Forum from Justice Quirke also recommended that a national plan should be prepared to examine how the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation are to be protected. This recommendation was agreed to by Government. Dáil Éireann also gave unanimous support to a Private Members’ Motion, which called for such a national plan to be put in place. On the 3rd of April, I, together with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr Phil Hogan, T.D., met with EU Environment Commissioner Potoènik in Brussels, where we secured the support of the European Commission for developing a National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan. This plan will be developed over the coming 12 months.

The plan will be wide-ranging, looking at the practical aspects of conserving and managing the affected bogs and will allow solutions for turf-cutters to be explored in detail. In the context of such a plan, it may be possible to bring some flexibility, within the terms of the EU Habitats Directive, that could allow limited cutting within a small number of sites. The plan will be progressed both at local level for each site and through the Peatlands Council.

It is clear that for the plan to be a success that no unauthorised turf cutting can take place on the protected bogs this year. Any widespread breach of the law would undermine everyone’s collective efforts to develop the flexibility within the law which is being sought as part of the proposed national plan. It is only within the context of a national plan that issues such as the provision of compensatory habitat can be considered.

To date, there has been one significant incidence of cutting on one protected bog, with more minor incidences on 4 others. My Department, with the support of An Garda Síochána, are taking appropriate enforcement action and are continuing to gather evidence for the purposes of pursuing the individuals involved. The small minority who would wish to break the law are acting against the interests of the majority of people, who are willing to work with my Department and the Peatlands Council to resolve outstanding issues. This is demonstrated by the fact that over 1,700 applications for compensation have been received to date under my Department’s Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme.

Progress is also being made in relation to the relocation option under the scheme following the work done at the Peatlands Forum. In this regard, my Department is making arrangements for assessing the suitability of a number of potential relocation sites. Relocation arrangements have already been concluded with groups from Clara Bog in County Offaly and Mountbellew in County Galway.

My Department and the Peatlands Council will continue to engage actively with turf-cutting communities and representatives who wish to find acceptable solutions.