Mr. Lorcán O'Toole:

Mr. Doris and Mr. Scallan and I will answer parts of the questions which have been asked, so forgive us if we cross over each other. Senator Ó Domhnaill asked whether we had views on the interaction between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. As a field worker on the periphery I feel that for the past 20 or 30 years, probably for very good reasons, both have had different constituencies and their focus has not been aligned. Perhaps if they brought their focuses more into alignment they would realise they have much more in common. I will not be drawn on whether it is right or wrong, but I am sure there is a perception of a lack of communication from the conservationist side. One receives a letter which uses what is perceived as authoritarian language. We need better communication from the wildlife people.

My view is that at times the agrifood sector believes the wildlife sector is a constraint. It is poor wildlife management and conservation if this is the case. Farmers and foresters own 70% of the land and it is a fallacy that conservationists will improve wildlife. One must work with the people who own and work on the land and this is a real challenge. At times we do not find enough common ground. The Burren and Boleybrack project are great examples of communities and all sectors coming together. At the rural development conference in Croke Park in 2009, Dr. Ciaran Lynch from LIT, Thurles stated there was a noticeable lack of co-operation between environmentalists and farmers. This is happening throughout Europe so we do not need to beat ourselves up about it. This is due to historical and financial reasons and it is a challenge. If we have more prescriptions without the underlying issues being tackled it will be a lost opportunity.

Some people's blood pressure might rise at the suggestion, but in 20 or 30 years time could the National Parks and Wildlife Service be within a department of lands which would not be concerned with food production but with landscape management? During the presentation on the Burren the Chairman mentioned this would be a wider concept. Bord Bia states it is what the consumer expects and we must stay ahead of our competitors, whether they are in Scotland, Belgium or Germany, because if they feel people want green produce they will go after the market. We must act now. Fáilte Ireland also states it is important. Landscape management should not be separate from wildlife management and food production. We must have more synergy or cohesion.

Deputy Ferris mentioned incentives and I believe they are crucial. One can see how the landscape has changed in Donegal. Those in Teagasc and others are better placed than I am to advise the committee on this. Above and beyond incentives, I know a large number of small farmers in the north west, and I am sure committee members have met them, who I am sure even if they had no money would still be farming. Sligo Institute of Technology has conducted research on this connection between these people and the land. Farmers should be given more of a role. I have not seen any published references to this, but I imagine that at times some small farmers and those in their early 20s and 30s who are considering whether to take over the farm will say not only financial issues arise. At present in some areas it is not very cool to be a small farmer. Perhaps we should be telling them they have a really big role to play in producing food, and looking after the landscape and our heritage. Approximately 100 years ago we had a rebirth of our cultural heritage. We probably need a rebirth of our natural heritage.

Deputy Ó Cuív asked whether we are out on our own. I do not feel we are and that there is growing support among the public. Going back to conflict and bad communication, why is there an urban rural divide? Why do we discuss what one can do on one's private property and society's needs? Golden eagles are in big trouble from poisoning because we brought in fewer birds. Despite all the poisoning I believe white-tailed eagles will get a foothold. I invite the committee to see a nest along Lough Derg or in Kerry and to see the reaction of the general public. The vast majority of landowners and schoolchildren in County Kerry are very supportive of the white tailed eagle project. We got off to a rocky start, which I could spend the day discussing with the committee, but the majority of people in Kerry are supportive of the project. To see young children in Mountshannon in County Clare looking at the white tailed eagle nest was fantastic. It is encouraging to see normal people, instead of the green welly brigade, enjoying their rural area.

The final challenge is to find ways of meeting when there is no conflict. All too often wildlife people and farmers meet during a conflict or at a point of stress. Going back to the rural development conference at Croke Park, it was suggested we should find opportunities to speak more often, such as at this meeting. I believe there is a certain amount of entrenched positions in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and these must be understood. Many of these are driven by a lack of resources. Perhaps the National Parks and Wildlife Service could have more agricultural experts and the Department could have more wildlife experts. I would like to hear the views of Teagasc on this. Perhaps that organisation could try to bring them together, because the challenge is to try to get everything working together in rural Ireland to benefit everybody.

Small farmers have a huge role to play. From a wildlife point of view the golden eagle population will be in serious trouble without sheep farmers in Donegal. It is a predatory animal but communication is very important. Some people will say we are too focused. I do not state I have all the answers because I am sure I do not and there is much expertise here. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine attended the initial steering group meeting held at the Mountaineering Council of Ireland's offices and made a presentation. It is not driving the matter as it, along with other sectors with varying points of view, made a presentation.