Only 6 of turf cutters relocated under government plan

Eighteen years after the signing into law of the EU Habitats Directive on the restriction of turf cutting on SAC designated bogs, a succession of Governments have failed to deliver on the relocation of turfcutters, a local TD has claimed.

'Since the introduction of bog designations, there has been a complete failure to deliver on a fundamental plank of this law, to relocate turfcutters to alternative sites, with just 6% of turfcutters transferred,' Deputy Denis Naughten said.

'The abject failure of the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) to deliver an alternative turf bank for those wishing to continue to cut turf clearly shows that it is incapable of performing one of its basic functions,' stated Denis Naughten. 

'It must be remembered, even though relocation is supposed to be a priority of the Department, just 3% of turfcutters have been relocated during the term of this Government and this is despite, rather than as a result of, the Department's actions as this success was down to the direct actions of retired TD, Paul Connaughton.'

Denis Naughten added: 'What is even more galling is the fact that €11 million has been forked out by the Department in respect of annual payments, turf deliveries and once-off incentive payments to turf cutters who, in the majority of cases, would have accepted an alternative turf bank if it was made available.