Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
166. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will confirm, following remarks by the Taoiseach (details supplied), that it is the policy of his Department and the policy of Government to cease all commercial extraction of peat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33554/26]
View answerCommercial peat extraction continues to be a regulated activity. My Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service commissioned a guidance document The Regulatory Framework Applying to Peat Extraction - A Guidance Document which is available on gov.ie.
This document contains information regarding the regulatory framework (primarily that aspect which relates to the Planning System) which applies to peat extraction. Planning policy and legislation in that regard are matters for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
In summary:
• For peat extraction on an area of less than 30 Ha, planning permission from the relevant local authority and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) may be required (e.g. if the extraction is likely to have a significant effect on the environment). Appropriate Assessment (AA) is required if peat extraction could have a significant effect on a protected area.
• For peat extraction on an area between 30 to 50 Ha, planning permission from the relevant local authority and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required. Appropriate Assessment (AA) is also required if peat extraction could have a significant effect on a protected area.
• For peat extraction from on an area greater than 50 Ha, the extraction needs an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (Agency) as well as planning permission from the relevant local authority. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required. Appropriate Assessment (AA) is required if peat extraction could have a significant effect on a protected area.
As set out above, in addition to planning permission, the extraction of peat in areas over 50 Hectares requires an IPC licence from the Agency. The Agency is an independent public body established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 and is entirely independent in the exercise of its functions, including enforcement, under that Act.
The Agency provides details of its enforcement action on its website, including the Agency’s Large Scale Illegal Peat Extraction report from June 2025. The Agency has also noted on its website that it has carried out a significant number of site inspections and inspection reports can be viewed at www.epa.ie.
