FUTURE OF GALWAY RAISED BOGS TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE DAIL

Date Published: 09-Feb-2012

A motion on the future of domestic turf cutting on raised bogs is to be brought before the Dail next month.

The motion is being raised by the technical group of independent TDs and will outline a plan for 53 bog complexes in Ireland impacted by an EU directive which prevents cutting in special areas of conservation.

12 bog complexes across County Galway are impaced by the ban – about a quarter of the number of designated boglands nationally.

Under the proposal, 85 percent of turfcutters would relocate to another bog and 15 percent of bogs would be taken out of the designation.

The Turf Cutters and Contractors Group is also organising a nationwide rally outside Leinster House to coincide with the motion on Wednesday March 7th.