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IPCC call on Government to Halt Damage to SAC's

For Release 29 May 2000

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council today called on the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms Sile de Valera to instruct Dúchas to take a pro-active approach to the protection of Special Areas of Conservation which they are empowered to do under the European Habitats Directive.

"Far too many peatland SAC's are being damaged by development around the country while Dúchas stand by doing little or nothing to protect the sites" said Dr Peter Foss, Chairman of the IPCC "It's time Dúchas took the side of site protection and stopped being influenced by political and financial considerations in favour of giving the go ahead to development schemes which are causing the SAC resource to be seriously eroded".

This is not the first occasion on which damage to peatland SAC's has occurred. In 1998, in conjunction with the five leading Irish conservation groups (Irish Peatland Conservation Council, BirdWatch Ireland, An Taisce, Coastwatch Europe, Crann and the Irish Wildlife Trust), IPCC reported damage to 7 internationally important peatland sites. I the two years that have elapsed since this damage was brought to the attention of Dúchas, they have done nothing to resolve the damage on a number of these bogs.

The following bogs were being damaged in 1998 or threatened by development:
All Saints Bog, Co Offaly - Moss peat extraction - Damage continues in 2000
Clara Bog - Turbary Rights and private peat extraction - Damage continues in 2000 - with the additional problem that half the site was damaged by fire this year when a local resident burned his rubbish on the bog
Clonfinane, Co Tipperary - Moss peat extraction - Damage continues in 2000 on an area of the bog taken out of the SAC by Dúchas
Barnesmore, Co Donegal - Wind turbines and road - Site was developed in 1998/99; wave of turf cutting follows.
Pollardstown Fen, Co Kildare - Road development- Site severely threatened by road proposal as it currently stands in 2000 - Dúchas are not championing the cause of the fen

The damage to SAC's continue to spread and in the last few months the IPCC has been informed of new damage to Moud's Bog in Co Kildare by an extension of industrial moss peat extraction; damage to blanket bog in the Galtees from motor bike scrambling over the SAC; and overgrazing damage to a number of blanket bogs SAC's in the west of Ireland.

If Dúchas are to protect bogland SACs they will have to make real moves to resolve the problems facing many sites. This should involve better education on the value of SACs to rural communities, including a more creative approach to the diverse funding mechanisms that exist to protect these sites and use them sustainably, as well as a "get tough" policy on deliberate vandalism to these precious areas.

"The peatland SAC's that have been designated in Ireland represent the very best wildlife habitats we have in this country and many are also internationally important. If the same damage were to be inflicted on our national monuments - for example removing a couple of columns from the front of the GPO to make hardcore for road construction - there would be a massive outcry. Politicians and Government Departments would be falling over each other to stop the damage" says Dr Foss "Well the same responsible attitude should be taken without further delay by the Minister and her Department in protecting our irreplaceable SAC heritage".

Further information contact Dr Peter Foss at 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1. Tel & Fax 01 872 2397

ENDS