Mr. Ian Lumley:

The information is based on the work of former director of the Irish Wildlife Trust, Mr. Pádraic Fogarty, who has investigated cutting in Glenveigh National Park and used GPS data to determine that it is inside the national park boundary.

In terms of the raised bog issue, since the Peatlands Council was established and the compensation and conservation plan put in place, major additional studies have been conducted which have established how vulnerable the less than 1% of raised bogs remaining are.

In regard to the hen harrier, An Taisce has advocated area-based approaches for hen harrier areas which would be integrated with high nature value farming and appropriate support schemes.

The loss of the corncrake has mainly resulted from changes in traditional agricultural practice and a move away from hay meadows. The curlew is currently the subject of an action plan and we hope that a suitable scheme with good ecological advice can be put in place in conjunction with farming organisations and landowners.

Above all, we stress that we can only work together by working with people. However, the issue of water quality and protecting river water catchments from flooding is not just of concern to landowners. Biodiversity and nature conservation is a necessity and a concern for us all. That is why we must have a better co-operative relationship, both urban and rural, in meeting these issues. An Taisce is always open to being part of any forum. The only prospect of progress is if we can work together. The data is in front of us. We know the climate challenges we face. We know where biodiversity loss and pressures are and we should work together on an area, community and co-operative basis, talk to each other and make progress on these issues.