Turf Cutting Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-13 ============================================================ Kieran O'Donnell (FG), Limerick City I thank Senator Murphy for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. Ireland is endowed with a rich network of peatlands of raised and blanket bogs which are vital for biodiversity, supporting climate and flood mitigation, and importantly are an intrinsic part of our cultural heritage. The EU directive on the conservation of habitats, flora and fauna, commonly known as the habitats directive, requires all member states to select sites for the protection of habitats and species considered threatened in the EU territory. Ireland has achieved this for raised bog habitats by selecting 9% of our original raised bog resource and protecting them as SACs, which the Senator has already referred to, and natural heritage areas, NHAs. The raised bog SACs and NHAs covered by the cessation of turf-cutting compensation scheme are, as such, considered wetland ecosystems of high ecological value. The main threats to their conservation arise from any actions that remove the vegetation, drain water or cause them to dry out. In the case of active raised bogs, a priority habitat under the directive, the average water levels need to be close to the surface for most of the year to survive. Turf cutting involves the direct removal of peat and the vegetation on top. The associated drainage compromises the hydrological integrity of these protected bogs and lowers the water table. These changes to the bog structure not only result in the loss of the unique raised bog ecology but under certain conditions can influence the hydrology of the bog and its surrounding landscape. The Government has recognised the traditional activity of cutting by citizens for their own domestic use and that these needs must be balanced with the conservation objectives and obligations on the State. The rights of turf cutters are being addressed through compensation under the cessation of turf-cutting compensation scheme, through other incentives and initiatives or through relocation to alternative sites where feasible. The State has worked collaboratively with turf cutters, contractors and their representatives under the scheme and this has resulted in a cessation of turf cutting on over 85% of the raised bog SACs since 2011. These restrictions are necessary to address issues raised by the European Commission in legal proceedings against Ireland in the European Court of Justice. I thank the turf cutters and contractors who have co-operated with the State and supported the transition from these protected sites. The cessation of the turf-cutting compensation scheme was established following engagement with stakeholders in 2011 for active domestic turf cutters arising from these restrictions on turf cutting on 53 raised bog SACs and was extended in 2014 to include 36 raised bog NHAs. The scheme comprises a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a once-off legal agreement payment of €500. While applicants were waiting for relocation sites to be investigated, prepared and developed, they could have opted for the annual payment or opt to receive an annual supply of up to 15 tonnes of cut turf delivered to their homes. No additional relocation sites are expected to be identified at this stage, although a small number of plots are being developed. Eligible applicants on raised bog SACs where turf cutting ceased in 2011 received their final payment under the 15-year scheme in 2025. Applicants on SACs where turf cutting ceased in 2012 will receive a final payment in 2026. Where turf cutting ceased on the raised bog natural heritage areas at different stages between 2014 and 2017, payments will continue to be made annually with final payments being made from 2028 to 2031. This scheme has compensated turf cutters for the impact of restrictions on turf cutting on these protected sites. Over a 15-year term it has helped to ensure the conservation of important peatland sites of unique ecological value. The estimated costs of provisional payment over the lifetime of this scheme will reach €96 million. Other supports operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the Department of Social Protection are available to those with older homes or inefficient heating systems and those most at risk of fuel poverty. The cutting of turf and associated turf cutting activities remain a regulated activity in the SACs and NHAs. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has, since the scheme came into operation, successfully restored many of those raised bogs in the SACs and NHAs and that work programme will continue. In his reply, Senator Murphy might indicate whether he has had contact with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of the matters he raised and of the case of the 80 families he addressed in his contribution so that I can arrange for matters to be followed up with the relevant parties. --- Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted. Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-13/debate/main Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:56+00:00 Sitting date: 2026-05-13