P r e s s R e l e a s e

Roundstone Bog Threatened Once Again

For Immediate Release 16th September

On Thursday September 3rd the IPCC held discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Services concerning the future of Roundstone Bog. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss a proposal for an airstrip on bogland at Derrygimlagh.

The Clifden Airport Company, who have proposed the development, put forward a proposition to the NPWS to 'land swap' a site at Ardagh which falls within a proposed SAC for the Derrygimlagh site which is located just outside of the SAC. However, this site is still an integral part of the Roundstone Bog complex.

In 1990 the Airport Group were refused planning permission to locate an airstrip at Ardagh on environmental and amenity grounds. Dr. Peter Foss, IPCC Chairman, commented, "It seems a terrible pity that eight years ago after the original proposal was put to bed, Roundstone Bog is once again threatened by a badly thought out development."

The IPCC are appalled that the two ministers involved, Éamon Ó Cuív and Síle de Valera (Department of the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and Islands), are even entertaining the land-swap proposition in the absence of adequate information about the development on which to base a decision.

As of yet:

No Feasibility Study has been carried out
No Development Plans have been forwarded or alternative sites explored
No Environmental Impact Study has been submitted
No study indicating the economic viability of the project has been volunteered

"In essence the decision to give the go ahead or not is now a purely political one." said Dr. Foss, IPCC Chairman.

Opposition to the proposed development and land swap has translated in to a joint NGO initiative involving the IPCC, An Taisce, Irish Wild Bird Conservancy, Irish Wildlife Trust, Save Roundstone Bog Group and the Heritage Council, who are appealing to all interested individuals and organisations to register their opposition and/or concerns in writing to Minister Éamon Ó Cuív and Minister Síle de Valera at the Department of the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The very same government department which has applied for World Heritage Status for Roundstone Bog!

EDITOR'S NOTE 1: The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is a national charity and is entirely supported by voluntary contributions. Conservation projects include: purchasing bogland nature reserves, providing resources and training for teachers and education groups, repairing damaged bogs, fostering a positive attitude towards bogs, and encouraging lifestyles in harmony with the environment. The IPCC can be contacted at: Capel Chambers, 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1. Tel: 01-872 2397. Registered Charity Number: CHY6829

EDITOR'S NOTE 2: The work of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council is supported by the FÁS Community Employment and the European Union.

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