Gaeltacht Minister to review turf cutting compensation scheme
Galway Bay fm newsroom - The Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht says his Department is 'considering' the turf compensation scheme in relation to large land owners.
Galway Senator Lorraine Higgins raised the matter in the Seanad where she questioned the legality of the scheme set up for affected bog owners.
However, Jimmy Deenihan says the scheme was set up with legal advice from the attorney general, and his Department had already paid out 6 million euro.
The Minister added he is looking at proposals for bogs where a number of family members get turf off a plot.
One possibility is that all people drawing off the plot will get a delivery of turf from the State.
Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Lorraine Higgins said there were many pressing issues with the scheme.
Responding, Minister Jimmy Deenihan said new proposals regarding large landowners were being looked at.