Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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7. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the fact that the survey of Coolraine Bog has shown that little can be rehabilitated, if he will consider transferring the SAC status from Coolraine Bog to another compensatory habitat. [4012/14]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the original ban on turf cutting in designated areas throughout the country was so widespread, in view of his recent announcement on the matter; if he will state the total allocation for compensation from his Department to turf cutters since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3998/14]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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22. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide detail on the bogs that are to be closed to turf cutting on foot of the publication of the review of raised bog natural heritage areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3960/14]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Following on from the Government's publication of the long-term plan for bogs and in view of the fact that the survey of the Coolrain bog has shown that little of it can be rehabilitated, will the Minister consider transferring the SAC status from Coolrain bog to another compensatory habit?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I proposed to take Questions Nos. 7, 15 and 22 together.

As referred to in my earlier reply to priority Question No. 3 on 15 January last, I published three comprehensive documents dealing with Ireland's peatlands - an overall draft national peatlands strategy, a draft national raised bog special areas of conservation, SAC, management plan and a review of raised bog natural heritage areas, NHAs. Collectively, these documents seek to give to clarity on the future management of Ireland's peatlands. The three documents are available on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie.

The draft national raised bog SAC management plan provides for the future restoration and management of our 53 raised bog SACs. It sets out the approach to how each of these SACs is to be conserved and restored and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed. Specifically regarding Coolrain bog, while the scientific assessment of this SAC shows there is limited potential to restore additional active raised bog, this does not mean that the bog is of little conservation interest. This small bog contains a significant area of active bog at present which would be lost if turf cutting were allowed to continue. Approximately 50 ha of the high bog and cutaway has been restored by Coillte with EU LIFE programme funding. Additional restoration work will be necessary to offset damage caused by the turf cutting, which will continue to impact on the bog for many years to come. The restoration work needed will be investigated and a conservation plan developed within two years. It is hoped that the local community will take an active role in the development of this plan. It may be noted that the EU habitats directive does not allow for SACs to be de-designated unless damage is caused by natural forces which is not the case with Coolrain bog.

In terms of NHAs, the Government decided to review the situation regarding these bogs which the previous Government had decided should close from the beginning of this year. The recently published review of NHAs sets out proposals for a significant reconfiguration of raised bog NHAs to meet national conservation targets, while reducing the impact on turf cutters and on taxpayers.

The proposed reconfiguration will improve conservation outcomes by increasing the area of active or restorable raised bog within the network of sites and excluding the most heavily cut sites from the network, thereby avoiding any impact on over 80% of active turf cutters. Turf cutting will continue on 46 NHAs but will be phased out on another 36 NHAs over three years, with the introduction of an individual permit system from the current year. Seven sites will have their boundaries redrawn and turf cutting will be phased out in the reduced areas only. A total of 25 new sites will be proposed for designation as raised bog NHAs to replace the habitat lost through de-designation of the more heavily-cut sites. Many of these are in public ownership or have relatively few or no turf cutters.

Any turf cutter required to cease turf cutting on an NHA will be offered compensatory measures along the same lines as those available to turf cutters in raised bog SACs. Compensation will be made available immediately to active turf cutters in these NHA sites who meet the requirements of my Department's scheme. My Department will write to members of the public identified as having an interest in these sites in the coming weeks and notices will be placed local newspapers.

It may be noted that compensation to the value of some €7.4 million has been paid by my Department to turf cutters in raised bog SACs since 2011.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Three Deputies have tabled questions, Deputies McLellan, Ó Fearghaíl and Naughten. I call Deputy McLellan first.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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I have been looking at the Government's long-term plan for bogs-----

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Can I ask a question please?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I heard the Deputy.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Is the Ceann Comhairle not going to allow me to contribute?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, because the Deputy has not tabled a question. I am dealing with the Deputies who have tabled questions. If there is time, I will call Deputy Flanagan for a supplementary question. I ask him to allow Deputy McLellan to speak without interruption.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Coolrain bog is one of the 53 bogs referred to by the Minister and no solution has been put forward to accommodate the 70 or more turf cutters on it. Scientific research shows that the bog only ranks as moderate in terms of habitat quality and that out of a total of 51 ha of raised bog, less than one hectare can be restored. This is based on a survey conducted in 2003 and does not take into account work on the bog since then. In fact, the area that can now be restored is less than one hectare. The only other small bog suitable for turf cutting, Knockacoller bog was also designated as an SAC during the term of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government. Would the Minister agree that the solution here is to remove the SAC status from Coolrain bog and to use Abbeyleix bog as a compensatory habit? The latter bog is larger, with over 99 ha of raised bog. A larger area is active and a larger area is restorable. There is no turf cutting taking place on Abbeyleix bog and the local community wants to preserve it for education and tourism purposes.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Modern scientific methods, such as LiDAR, give us a good insight into Coolrain bog. It is of high ecological interest due to the presence of an extensive area of active raised bog. The site’s south eastern location within a sandstone area adds further interest. Recent peat-cutting around the southern margin of the bog is likely to have caused significant damage. From a scientific point, this is a valuable site. Our active raised bogs and SACs, special area of conservation, are regarded as being the most precious in the world. That is why we are trying to protect these 53 bogs.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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In light of the Minister’s recent statements, does he consider the bans on turf-cutting on raised bogs being somewhat excessive? There has been a long tradition of turf-cutting at Mouds bog in County Kildare, along with a tradition of great respect for the habitat’s flora and fauna.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Ireland signed up to the habitats directive in 1992 and transposed it into law in 1997. Assessments were carried out on several bogs and, initially, 32 bogs were designated. The European Commission asked for other bogs to be added to the designation. Scientific surveys have proved these bogs are precious and have the largest amount of active raised bogs in them. To change a SAC designation would require a natural disaster such as a landslide.

There is some flexibility in Article 6(4) of the habitats directive. I am appealing to turf-cutters to look at this consultation document to see if it gives an opportunity to deal with this. I will take this matter to Europe but it has to be part of an overall package for the 53 bogs. The Commission will not entertain any proposals to re-designate a site if there has been cutting on a bog.

The Commission has welcomed our approach. There is an ideal opportunity offered by the consultation documents to examine the bogs and limited turf-cutting.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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This is a consultation document. An additional 25 bogs will be designated as NHAs, natural heritage area. I am concerned that those cutting turf on these bogs will not get an opportunity to make a submission regarding the proposed designation. Will the Minister ensure the public notices about the designation process are placed in the local media and newspapers, as well as on the sites? Already, Bord na Móna is closing up drains on some sites, which seems to be a preparation for designation. Surely, the owners of these bogs should have right to know what is going on.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The 25 sites are being mapped and there are technical issues which need to be addressed. It will not be a fait accompli and people affected will have an opportunity to appeal against a designation. As regards the discussion document, those who could be affected by designations will have a chance to give their observations. Those affected by sites already designated will not have the opportunity to appeal their designation.

Public notices will be issued shortly. Anyone with a connection to these 25 bogs will be notified, even those not cutting on these bogs. The number of notifications will far exceed the numbers who are actively cutting turf on these sites.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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What about the timeline?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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People will have the opportunity-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is Deputy McLellan’s supplementary. We can come back to Deputy Naughten later.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I appeal to everyone----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, Minister but we are over time. It is one minute for a supplementary.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Coolrain bog is too small an area to restore as a wet active raised bog. We, in particular Deputy Stanley, are putting forward a reasonable solution to have a larger SAC retained and, accordingly, get a better outcome for both turf-cutters and the environment. Will the Minister seriously consider this?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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With regard to Deputy Naughten-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will come back to Deputy Naughten in a moment.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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People from Coolrain can make a submission within the discussion document process. I would advise them to do so. This case can be put forward to the Commission. Article 6(4) of the habitats directive allows people to make a case for exceptions to SAC designation. In the past 20 years, however, only 20 exceptions were made in this regard.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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While people will have the opportunity to appeal a designation, it must be based on scientific evidence. It is now admitted that the initial scientific evidence used in designating NHAs was flawed. I also believe the scientific evidence in designating the SACs was flawed. Will the Minister agree the Fernandez report should not be the basis for making any designations and should be thrown out? Will he agree that it is a damning indictment of the NPWS, National Parks & Wildlife Service, that on its own bog, Lough Forbes, where there was no turf-cutting, only one tenth of the active raised bog is left in place? It should be noted at sites where turf is being cut, that the bogs have more than doubled. Will he agree the approach taken to date is fundamentally wrong? Will he go back to the Commission, hold up his hands and admit we used flawed evidence to designate these bogs and revisit the designations using real scientific evidence?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I certainly do not have to hold up my hands for anything. I have not been part of the history of the designations of these bogs.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I am sorry, I meant the State

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Now, because of the approach I have taken, it has opened up this whole area for scientific re-evaluation. There are other approaches now, such as LiDAR, which were not used in the past. The designation of the further 25 bogs will be based on the scientific research carried out by the RPS Group. Overall, the RPS Group looked at 270 raised bogs including NHAs and SACs.

This was the most extensive approach ever taken to the bogs, using modern scientific methods. While the scientific methods used in the past were questionable in this instance, they are the most modern available and are well-recognised globally. The 25 bogs will be based on the scientific evidence gathered by RPS.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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The Minister comes in here with what sounds like a definite figure of 37% gone while RPS tells us that the original figures were wrong and data from 1994 was sparse. If the Minister does not know what was there originally, how can he tell how much has been lost? He has to deal with this. He keeps talking about damage done by turf cutters. Will he please explain why my bog has grown by 120%, why Michael Fitzmaurice’s bog is the best performing bog in the whole country when it comes to active raised bog, ARB, and why the bogs for which the Minister is responsible, where no turf is cut, are dying, although he continues to say turf cutting is doing damage?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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In Deputy Flanagan’s case, I understand most of the bog he cuts is State-owned.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Most bogs are State-owned; 97% of them are. We cut around the periphery.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I understand that most of the Deputy’s bog is State-owned. The State purchased that bog-----

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Most of them are State-owned.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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There is limited turf cutting on it. I said that since the 53 special areas of conservation, SACs, were designated, we have lost 37% of the active raised bog.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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That cannot be true.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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That has been proved. We will preserve only 4% of all the bogs in this country. That is to protect the active raised bogs we have now that we are losing and which ecologically are the most precious in the world.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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On the Minister’s bogs.