Peatlands Council
The Peatlands Council was established by Government on the 07th April 2011. The Press Release establishing the Council can be viewed below, as well as the Terms of Reference of the Council. The Council was established to respond to commitments set out in the Programme for Government and to assist Ireland in responding in a strategic way to the requirements of the EU Habitat’s Directive which require Ireland to protect and conserve important peatland habitats.
Peatlands Council - Press Release [PDF] [31kb]
Peatlands Council - Terms of Reference [PDF] [40kb]
The Council is independently Chaired by Mr. Conor Skehan, a lecturer with DIT’s School of Spatial Planning and a former Director of Bord na Móna. The Council is made up of representatives from the following groups:
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Irish Peatland Conservation Council
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Irish Farmers Association
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Irish Environmental Network
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Irish Rural Link
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Bord na Móna
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National Parks and Wildlife Service
The Council is tasked with advising the Government on a number of key actions, including
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the drawing up of a national strategy on Peatlands conservation and management within 12 months, in consultation with bog owners and other stakeholders, to deal with long-term issues such as land management, restoration, conservation, tourism potential, carbon accounting and community participation in managing this resource.
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in the context of the national strategy, to draw up an agreed national code of environmental practice in regard to turf-extraction in designated sites, including a re-examination of the position regarding raised bog Natural Heritage Areas, which are protected under national legislation and the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, in advance of the 2014 cutting season.
LATEST PEATLANDS COUNCIL NEWS
NATIONAL PEATLANDS STRATEGY
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, T.D. and the Peatlands Council has invited submissions from stakeholders, interested parties and the general public on the content and formulation of a National Peatlands Strategy.
The Terms of Reference for the strategy have been set out; however, additional items of relevance not covered in these can be considered. Individuals/groups are invited to provide their views, opinions and ideas on all issues covered in the Terms of Reference and any other relevant matters not expressly covered.
The Terms of Reference of the Strategy are outlined in the document below as well as guidance and commentary on some of the key issues covered by the terms.
The Public Consultation on the Peatlands Strategy is being carried out with the independently chaired Peatlands Council
The Closing Date for Submissions on this Phase of the Consultation Process has now expired.
National Peatlands Strategy ToR & Guidance [PDF] [ 616kb]
News from June 2011 - Peatlands Council Breakthrough
The Peatlands Council held a meeting in Ballinasloe on 01st June 2011. Following a day of positive and constructive discussion the below statement was released by the Council.
Press Statment - Peatlands Council 01-06-11 [PDF] [107kb]
Following this meeting, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht released a statement welcoming the breakthrough by the Council
Deenihan Press Release - Peatlands Council Breakthrough [PDF] [16kb]
