Turf Cutting
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-19
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Christopher O'Sullivan (FF), Cork South-West

I reiterate that, as Minister of State, I am legally prohibited from granting consent for these activities for the reasons I outlined. These are special areas of conservation. They were designated so for a reason. Any cutting and removal of turf or any drainage or removal of top soil from this site would completely compromise its integrity and affect the species there and the habitat. I cannot comment on any court injunctions or proceedings, as the Deputy will understand, but I will say - and I have already relayed this to Senator Rabbitte and Deputy Dolan, who also made representations - that the NPWS does have a facility. We do not want anybody to be cold or to not get access to heating. There are procedures whereby the NPWS can help people in terms of getting support, but I cannot permit cutting on the bog. It is as simple as that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:46+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-19