Bog owners will not be paid until 2014

BOG owners who have agreed to sell their land to the Department of the Environment for conservation purposes have been told they will not be paid until 2014.

The farmers have already spent sums of around €2,000 in solicitor and other fees to process the sales under the voluntary bog scheme.

Many of those in midland regions have been told they can no longer cut turf and have the option of selling their land to the department for between €5,000 and €6,000 an acre.