Ireland has been referred by the European Commission to the EU Court of Justice for their failure to stop the ongoing peat cutting in areas set aside for the conservation of raised bogs and blanket bogs.
It claims that not enough is being done to rehabilitate the sites, and that drainage and turf cutting operations are still causing these sites to deteriorate.
Bogs are considered "priority" habitats under the Habitats Directive because they support significant insect and bird species, according to a statement released by the EU. Bogs are also biodiversity hotspots.
According to the directive, member states must safeguard designated ecosystems against invasive activities.
Ireland referred to ECJ over protection of bogs
The European Commission has referred Ireland to the EU Court of Justice for failing to halt the continued cutting of peat in areas designated to conserve raised bogs and blanket bogs.