Minister Humphreys publishes legislation to de-designate 46 NHAs
The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Wednesday) published legislation which will reconfigure the Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area (NHA) Network and allow for the de-designation of 39 raised bog Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) and the part de-designation of 7 raised bog NHAs.
The publication of the legislation is identified as a 100 Day Action in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:
“I recently announced my intention to bring forward this legislation, which is an important step forward in terms of securing a long term resolution for turf cutters, while also ensuring that Ireland meets its obligations under the Habitats Directive.
“This legislation will implement the recommendations of the Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, which was approved by Government in 2014. It concluded that Ireland could more effectively conserve threatened raised bog habitats through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network.
“The reconfiguration of the network will have many environmental benefits and will result in a greater area of protected bog habitat being safeguarded than under the current network. To counteract the impact of de-designating the 46 NHAs, a further 25 bogs, which are in public ownership or where there is reduced turf cutting pressure will be designated as protected habitats.
“Under the reconfigured network, there will be approximately 2,500 fewer actively cut turf plots than currently. As a result of this legislation, we will have a more coherent network of natural heritage areas, which will better contribute to the conservation and restoration of raised bog habitats.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
It is not proposed to identify the 25 bogs scheduled for designation until the relevant legal protections have been applied to them. These legal protections will be applied in parallel with the de-designation of the 46 NHAs.
Sites Proposed for De-Designation:
| Natural Heritage Area (NHA) | County |
| Annaghbeg Bog NHA | Galway |
| Bella Bridge Bog NHA | Roscommon |
| Black Castle Bog NHA | Offaly |
| Bunnaruddee Bog NHA | Kerry |
| Capira/Derrew Bog NHA | Galway |
| Clonreher Bog NHA | Laois |
| Cloonageeher Bog NHA | Leitrim/Longford |
| Clooncullaun Bog NHA | Galway |
| Cloonloum More Bog NHA | Clare |
| Cloonoolish Bog NHA | Galway |
| Cornaveagh Bog NHA | Roscommon |
| Corracramph Bog NHA | Leitrim |
| Crit Island West NHA | Galway |
| Derrycanan Bog NHA | Roscommon |
| Derrynagran Bog and Esker NHA | Galway |
| Doon Lough NHA | Clare |
| Eskerboy Bog NHA | Galway |
| Forthill Bog NHA | Longford |
| Funshin Bog NHA | Galway |
| Hodgestown Bog NHA | Kildare |
| Jamestown Bog NHA | Meath |
| Killaclogher Bog NHA | Galway |
| Killeen Bog NHA | Tipperary |
| Killure Bog NHA | Galway |
| Kilmore Bog NHA | Galway |
| Kilnaborris Bog NHA | Galway |
| Leaha Bog NHA | Galway |
| Lisnanarriagh Bog NHA | Roscommon |
| Lorrha Bog NHA | Tipperary |
| Lough Namucka Bog NHA | Galway/Roscommon |
| Meeneen Bog NHA | Galway |
| Molerick Bog NHA | Meath |
| Moorfield Bog NHA | Galway |
| Nore Valley Bogs NHA | Tipperary |
| Nure Bog NHA | Westmeath |
| Screggan Bog NHA | Offaly |
| Slieve Bog NHA | Galway |
| Suck River Callows NHA | Galway/Roscommon |
| Tullaghan Bog (Roscommon) NHA | Roscommon |
Sites proposed for Partial De-Designation
| Natural Heritage Area (NHA) | County |
| Ballynagrenia and Ballinderry Bog NHA | Westmeath |
| Carrickynaghtan Bog NHA | Roscommon |
| Castle Ffrench West Bog NHA | Galway |
| Keeloges Bog NHA | Galway |
| Lough Tee Bog NHA | Galway |
| Rinn River NHA | Leitrim/Longford |
| River Little Brosna Callows NHA | Offaly/Tipperary |
