Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Cronin for his presentation and I welcome the witnesses. This outstanding issue which has not yet been resolved is an awful injustice. The number of people initially envisaged to be affected was 4,400, and 378 have received compensation for part of the period involved. It is an awful injustice to farmers on very marginal land, who have no income from it whatsoever. Their lands are effectively paralysed. They are prevented from gaining an income from it.

The suggestions put forward by the witnesses to try to resolve the situation involve GLAS payments of €370 up to 18.9 ha and equivalent compensation in excess of this. The witnesses also mentioned €150 up to 13.5 ha on a flat rate, because not everybody owns 13.5 ha. This is all very reasonable. I assume the witnesses have had discussions with the Department at some level. Has the Department given the witnesses any indication that it is prepared to meet them on these requests? Has it given them any indication that it understands the gravity of the situation? Does it realise farmers such as the witnesses are being discriminated against? Has it made any proposals to them other than GLAS and GLAS Plus? It is very important that the committee, collectively and without any ambiguity, supports the very reasonable and well thought out proposals of the witnesses by asking the Government to move on these issues by whatever method it can.

Since IFDL was formed it has done a fantastic job. I must say this because I live in an area quite close to people who are affected. IFDL has presented a very reasonable and well thought out proposal and it has not been confrontational. It has done it well because it is quite clear from the statements made by the witnesses today and from other presentations I have seen from the group that everything it does is in support of the hen harrier, is well thought out and is in the interest of the common good, which is to ensure farmers and others live up to their responsibilities in protecting wildlife. It is very commendable. I hope the committee can give the farmers the support to which they are entitled and make representations on their behalf to try to bring about a resolution. I and my party will fight for this.