Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I fully accept the Minister's comment to the effect that retention of the areas currently included is his main priority. However, there are significant areas, particularly on the Border, that would feel very hard done by in the context of previous classifications. It cannot be carte blanche, namely, that one is in or one is out. I can quote several examples of areas that would feel very unjustifiably treated. The criteria the last time kept them out. It was not based on soil quality last time around. They were kept out perhaps due to population density or economic reasons, such as a large number of dairy herds in a particular townland. Those are not the criteria this time around. Some areas that were excluded the last time will feel that the criteria being used on this occasion will allow their inclusion.