State’s u-turn over proposal to extend ban on turf-cutting

Following a review of National Heritage Area (NHA) bogs by consultants RPS, the Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht has undertaken to ‘de-designate’ 18 of the 28 bogs in the county where the ban was due to come into effect from the start of this month.

Officials have agreed to delay the bans at the remaining Irish, rather than European, designated NHAs by a further three years.

With a partial ban coming into effect at three of the bogs (Keeloges, Kilmore, and Lough Tee), a total ban on turf-cutting will only come into effect at seven of the 28 NHAs across Co Galway from the start of 2017.

There is no change to the status of the 53 European-designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) across the State where a controversial ban on cutting has been in place for over two years.

Mr Deenihan published three documents on Wednesday which, he said, would set out a long-term vision for the protection of Irish bog habitats.

“These documents clearly recognise that turf cutting is a valued traditional activity that will continue, but that the State must also meet conservation obligations,” said Minister Deenihan.

“Most of our peatlands have been altered by human activity over the centuries, but there still exist areas of unique, but threatened, habitats. For all our benefit, we need to protect and preserve a sample of these for ourselves and future generations.”

Bogs which were not ‘de-designated’ yesterday – where the ban on turf-cutting will still come into effect from the start of 2017 – include Moorfied / Farm Cottage, Ballygar, Brackagh, Radford River, Aughrim, Castle Ffrench East, and Derrinlough in Co Galway.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.