151 Mr. Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the type of turf cutting excluded under the special areas of conservation on County Roscommon bogs; and the location of these bogs. [20937/98]

The EU Habitats Directive prohibits significant damage occurring to the relevant habitats and species. In cases of raised bogs, turf cutting damages the habitat. I confirmed last March that no turf cutting would be permitted in raised bog areas proposed for designation as special areas of conservation as and from the beginning of next year. The specific areas proposed for designation have been published and publicly notified and maps are available to be inspected locally in the offices of the local authority, the farm development service, Teagasc and with the regional Manager of Dúchas, my Department's Heritage Service.

A number of options, including compensation, relocation to another site, sale of plots, or sale of turbary rights are available to turf cutters who are required to discontinue cutting in proposed SACS. These options may be followed up with Dúchas, the Heritage Service of my Department.

The bogs concerned in County Roscommon are officially known as Bellanagare Bog, Carrowbehy-Caher Bog, Cloonchambers Bog, Derrina Bog, Cloonshanville Bog, Corliskea-Trien-Cloonfelliv Bog, Lough Forbes Complex and Derrynabrock Bog.