The European Commission alleges that Ireland is failing to properly enforce the Habitats Directive, which requires member states to ensure their most precious species and habitat types are maintained or restored.

While acknowledging some progress since the Commission first sent a letter of formal notice in 2011, particularly in regard to raised bog sites, it maintains that Ireland has not taken sufficient action to protect blanket bog sites from turf-cutting.

As well as being biodiversity hotspots playing host to important insect and bird species, peat bogs are carbon sinks. A UN report has estimated that Ireland’s degraded peatlands emit 21.5 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year.

In a statement, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said: “Ireland has proactively engaged with the European Commission and stakeholders in relation to alleged breaches and stands ready to defend its position.

“The state has invested significantly since 2011 in the conservation and restoration of our peatlands. Additional progress has been achieved over the past two years in collaboration with stakeholders and turf cutters.”

There is no longer turf-cutting on almost 80 per cent of raised bog sites — with a reduction of almost 40 per cent from 2022 to 2023 — and there is evidence suggesting a lower level of turf-cutting on blanket bog sites than previously believed, it added.

It concluded: “The Department will carefully consider the details of the case once papers are received from the European Commission regarding its referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

“In the meantime, the Department will continue to implement, prioritise, and advance measures to conserve our protected peatlands in consultation with stakeholders.”