Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When we compiled a commonage report, we said that any additional measures would need to include 80% of active farmers. I wish to qualify what is being said. I refer to those doing something under a basic GLAS scheme who happen to be in a designated hen harrier zone while the area next to them is not. Measures have to be taken into account for those in such designated zones which are additional and, by the nature of the restriction, one can be paid for. Such farmers are being paid for the restriction in that sense. That is the differential for those in GLAS.

The argument has been made that in cases in which a farmer is in a designated restricted area, particularly a hen harrier zone, that is beside an unrestricted area, both farmers should be allowed to enter GLAS, and such farmers might be able to get €2,000 extra. The nature of the restriction means things can take place that may lead to the locally led agri-environment scheme being applicable.