Kelly welcomes constructive engagement with Minister on turf cutters
Issued : Thursday 26 January, 2012
Statement by Senator John Kelly
Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht Affairs, Training & Skills
Labour Senator John Kelly along with fellow members of the Oireachtas, today met with Minister Deenihan on the issue of the cessation of turf cutting on designated bogs, and has welcomed the positive engagement from the Minister and his officials.
"Today's meeting with Minister Deenihan on the issue of turf cutting on the 53 designated raised bogs was very positive. I welcome the Minister's active engagement with the issue. It is clear that this Minister is open to addressing the concerns of local bog owners who must comply with the law and cess cutting.
"It is clear that cutting cannot continue on the 53 designated raised bogs in order to ensure that Ireland is not subject to legal action from the EU and risk potentially serious fines of up to €20,000 a day, which may be amount to millions of Euro if those fines are applied retrospectively.
"At today's meeting the Minister indicated a most welcome development that he is willing to look again at the compensation payment arrangements and is amenable to increasing the compensation rates. This is a very welcome development and will go some way to alleviating the concerns of those affected by this measure.
"One of the points I raised with the Minister and which he indicated he would take on board was around the difficulties in proving a 'title'. The Minister agreed that local people must be consulted and must be involved in solving this aspect of the problem. Indeed, the Minister stated that he was ready and able to visit any local area affected by this cessation of cutting.
"I also raised the issue of the contractors and pointed out that in terms of fairness for those contractors who have invested heavily in the cutting of bogs over the years that they should be brought in at a local level to continue cutting in the alternative bogs, once Bord na Mona have completed their term next year.
"Overall, I was very pleased with the meeting with the Minister today and look forward to working with him and the local community so that this issue can be dealt with in the most harmonious way possible."
