I thank Deputy O'Hara and am aware of the representations that have been made by him and other Oireachtas Members from that area about these three particular bogs. The EU directive on the conservation of habitats, flora and fauna, commonly known as the habitats directive, requires all member states to select sites for the protection of habitats and species considered threatened in EU territory. Annex I of the habitats directive lists active raised bogs as priority habitats in danger of disappearing from the EU. Under the habitats directive, member states shall designate selected sites as special areas of conservation and shall take appropriate steps to avoid the deterioration of natural habitats within them. The bogs referred to are special areas of conservation and wetland ecosystems of high ecological value. The main threats to their conservation arise from any actions that remove the vegetation, drain water or cause them to dry out. In the case of active raised bogs, average water levels need to be close to the surface for most of the year to survive. Turf cutting involves the direct removal of peat and the vegetation on top and associated drainage compromises the hydrological integrity of these protected bogs by lowering the water table. These changes to the bog structure do not only result in the loss of the unique raised bog ecology but under certain conditions can influence the hydrology of the bog and its surrounding landscape. Arising from this legal obligation on the State to ensure these sites are adequately protected, and due to the damaging effect of turn cutting and associated drainage on these protected bogs, as Minister of State, I am legally prohibited from granting consent for activities which will have an adverse effect on the integrity of these sites. Under a compensation scheme introduced by the Government in 2011, €8.9 million has been paid to date to eligible applicants in the three SAC bogs in question. On average, each eligible turf cutter across these bogs has received a payment of €24,085, which is exempt from capital gains tax.
Sentiment score: 0.24
I reiterate that, as Minister of State, I am legally prohibited from granting consent for these activities for the reasons I outlined. These are special areas of conservation. They were designated so for a reason. Any cutting and removal of turf or any drainage or removal of top soil from this site would completely compromise its integrity and affect the species there and the habitat. I cannot comment on any court injunctions or proceedings, as the Deputy will understand, but I will say - and I have already relayed this to Senator Rabbitte and Deputy Dolan, who also made representations - that the NPWS does have a facility. We do not want anybody to be cold or to not get access to heating. There are procedures whereby the NPWS can help people in terms of getting support, but I cannot permit cutting on the bog. It is as simple as that.
Sentiment score: 0.24
By law, I am not permitted to allow cutting on the bog in question. It has been designated. A process was undergone. The Deputy can question how that process was conducted, but this is now a designated SAC, By law, I have to make sure that the integrity of the site and the habitat remains intact. As a result, I am not allowed to permit cutting there. A total of €8.9 million was paid out in respect of the three bogs referred to by the Deputy. In total, €97 million has been paid out under the cessation of turf cutting scheme, which has worked for the vast majority of communities and led to those with turf cutting rights receiving payments but also to the integrity of these bogs and habitats being maintained. I reiterate that I cannot permit cutting on these bogs.
Sentiment score: 0.18