Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. Mr. Michael Daveron is an old colleague of mine. We worked in the IFA together. I also met Dr. Dunford during my time in the IFA. Their presentation was interesting and I thank them for it. It comes at a very good time.

Deputy Ó Cuív has covered many of the points I wish to raise. This programme comes at a very good time when we are opening up the debate on CAP and on commonages. Commonage is a serious problem in my part of the country and throughout the country. We want to see schemes where farmers in commonage areas and poorer areas of the country will be helped to maintain those areas where they should be retained.

How much of the Burren is commonage and how much is owned by farmers? Farming in the future is important and must be promoted, as should tourism. We have all been involved in Comhairle na Tuaithe and in walking tourism. We want to support our farmers to maintain the countryside. I was interested in what was said about the repair of stone walls, the design of gates and so on. That is very good for the countryside in the future. Is the Burren commonage area or is much of it owned by the people who farm it?