The online meeting gave farmers an opportunity to share their views in relation to the Bord na Móna Peatlands Climate Action Scheme, which aims to rehabilitate and restore approx. 33,000 hectares in over 80 Bord na Móna bogs.

1. Bog Rewetting
A Farmer Discussion
Brian Rushe
IFA Deputy President
Tuesday 16th February 2021

2. 2
Agenda
• Welcome
• What has been done…
• Peatlands Climate Action Plan (PCAP)
• Designated Bogs
• Some key concerns
• Next step

3. 3
What have we done….
• Met with farmers to discuss bog rehabilitation.
• Met with Bord na Móna CEO Tom Donnellan and team in December 2020.
• Agreed to establish a Working Group between Bord na Móna and IFA .
• Made 17 submissions to Peatland Climate Action Scheme public consultations.

4. 4
Peatlands Climate Action Scheme
The Peatlands Climate Action Scheme aims to:
• Rehabilitate & restore approx. 33,000 ha across 82 Bord na Móna bogs
that were previously harvested for peat extraction for electricity
generation.
• Allow for storage of 100 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
• Enhance biodiversity on the designated bogs.

5. 5
Just Transition Fund (JTF)
• Under the Just Transition Fund €108 million was approved for Bord na
Móna’s peatlands restoration project.
• An additional €18 million is invested by Bord na Mona.
• The JTF aims to mitigate the impacts from the termination of peat utilisation
for energy generation in the Midland and support the transition towards
climate neutrality.
• The objective is to fund projects that contribute to the economic, social and
environmental sustainability of the Midlands region.
• In 2020, €11 million was allocated in funding (€6 million carbon tax & €5
million ESB).

6. 6
82 bogs to be
rehabilitated under
the scheme

7. 7
Bog Rehabilitation Projects on State Owned Land
• Other Bog rehabilitation projects are being carried out across the
country on state owned lands.
• These are separate to the bogs under the Bord na Mona Scheme
and are part of National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation
Management Plan.
• Bord na Mona have been contracted by the Department of
Housing, Local Government and Heritage to carry out these
rehabilitation measures on State owned lands.

8. 8
Some key concerns…
• Turbary Rights – That those with an established right to cut turf are allowed
to continue.
• Flooding – The threat of flooding/waterlogging to privately owned land, as
well as changes to the water table and the potential development of new
flood plains.
• Health & Safety – Increased water in drains and on land which could be a
hazard to animals, machinery & land access.
• Status of Adjacent Land- neighbouring land as well as land in the
community.
• Property Value - A negative effect on property value.
• Future Ownership/Rights to the designated Bord na Móna Bogs.

9. 9
How to make a submission
• Derrycolumb Longford
• Clooniff Roscommon
• Oughter Offaly
• Ummeras Offaly / Kildare
• Kilmacshane Galway
• Garryduff Galway
Bord na Móna is currently accepting submissions for the following bogs :
• Derrycashel Roscommon
• Cavemount Offaly
• Clonad Offaly
• Pollagh Offaly
• Derries Offaly
• Belmont Offaly
A submission can be made by emailing: pcasinfo@bnm.ie
Deadline for all currently open submissions is the 22nd February*
(*correct as of 15th Feb – dates may change and additional bog areas may be added)

10. 10
Next steps
• Meeting with Bord na Móna this Thursday 18th February.
• Establish a Working Group between the IFA and Bord na Móna.
• Engagement with Bord na Móna on hydrological assessments to be
undertaken by external consultants; this will establish:
• The scope and extent of these assessments.
• Access to review the assessments.
• Continue to make submissions on individual bog pubic consultations.
• Email: bogrewetting@ifa.ie with any further comments or queries.

11. 11
• Identify savings of on
average €6,300 on
participating farm.
• Identify ways to reduce GHG
emissions by up to 10%.
Discussion