Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The introduction of clear criteria is welcome, as is the fact that the Department will re-examine this point which has many implications in the area of Slieve Aughty. Many farmers in the area had management plans, while others were left outside at the time, but they were still involved in the hen harrier SAC. The legal criteria are still the same. It is the same regulation - Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009. Will these criteria be used in appealing decisions made in the past? It is still an interpretation of the same law and the criteria are exactly the same.