Written answer
Environmental Policy
135. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the protections he will make for peatlands, blanket bogs and other environmentally sensitive habitats within any revised framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55340/26]
Comment on this
The protection of peatlands and other environmentally sensitive habitats is primarily a matter for the National Parks and Wildlife Service under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (M/HLGH).
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for designating, managing and setting scientific conservation objectives for Natura 2000 sites which include Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). These areas include a range of environmentally sensitive habitats, as well as peatlands and blanket bogs.
It should be noted that the NPWS also has overall responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation, as well as development of a Nature Restoration Plan.
The restoration and protection of these sites and habitats is a key objective of the Climate Action Plan and, as such, my Department has also supported this objective. For example, my Department is the administrator of the Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS), which involves the enhanced rehabilitation of BnM peatlands that were previously used for energy production over several decades. To date 24,500 hectares of peatland have been rehabilitated under this scheme.
In addition to this, commercial peat extraction continues to be a regulated activity. My Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service commissioned a guidance document "The Regulatory Framework Applying to Peat Extraction - A Guidance Document" which is available on gov.ie.
This document contains information regarding the regulatory framework (primarily that aspect which relates to the Planning System which applies to peat extraction). Planning policy and legislation in that regard are also matters for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.