New Minister grants turf cutting reprieve

It appears that a last-minute reprieve has been granted to turf cutters who were due to be banned from turf cutting on their domestic bogs this year. The recently-appointed Minister for the Environment Eamon â€'Cuiv has said he wants to hold a review of the policy on the EU directive, and that only those who have already been financially compensated should have to comply with the ban this year. Locally, the Ballynamora Bog in Taughmaconnell/Cam area of south Roscommon was included in the banned list for this year, along with several other bogs in the Roscommon and East Galway areas. However, they have mounted a strong campaign opposing the ban and have made it an election issue. The bogs on the east side of Athlone are due to be included in the ban from 2012 or 2013. Minister †Cuiv has decided to establish a new council to negotiate a suitable resolution to the existing problems being experienced by certain land owners. Until suitable arrangements are made, the existing arrangements that were in place in 2010 will now also apply this year. The Minister said that all turf cutters on designated SAC bogs who have to cease cutting on these bogs should only have to do so where there is compensation involved, either financial compensation or relocation to other suitable bogs within their locality. He confirmed that he will set up a council between the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, local turf cutters and representatives from Bord na Móna, to try negotiate a suitable resolution to the problems and ensure that Ireland is not brought to the European Court for infringement of the Habitats Directive. Former Minister John Gormley, in his time in government, pushed ahead with the ban despite uncertainty over compensation and a long-standing derogation on the issue. Turf cutters argued that they cannot afford to heat their homes by other means.