Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in welcoming the deputation. I thank its members for their very comprehensive presentation. I will not dwell for too long because Deputy Martin Kenny and my party colleague, Deputy Cahill, have elucidated the issues very well.

I concur with a lot of what Deputy Cahill said. Farmers in designated areas have been very poorly treated in this matter. There is no doubt that their ability to farm has been severely restricted. The commitment they were given at the time in respect of when the designation could be appealed has not been followed through on. Not only does this affect the day-to-day ability to farm, it also affects the overall value of land. The latter is a point that the witnesses outlined very clearly. Value has been drastically affected. This matter needs to be redressed and the position rebalanced.

The fact that only 376 of the 4,000 farmers affected were able to go into the first scheme - the payment levels relating to which were in some way substantial compared to what is on offer at the moment - shows how restrictive it was. For the 90% who were excluded at that time, promises were made regarding what might be coming down the line in future schemes. However, those promises have also not been followed through on.

Senator Paul Daly, Deputy Cahill and I met the witnesses and other representatives previously and they provided a very good outline of the key issues. We have advocated on their behalf in this regard. Negotiations on the next CAP are ongoing and very much live. This situation has to be a real issue that the EU and Ireland should seek to redress. There is no doubt that the designation placed on farmers has restricted them and it has damaged the value of their land. These farmers are providing a public good, contributing to the economy and ensuring that there is a habitat for hen harriers. In doing so, and in return for the designation, the farmers should be compensated. This has not been the case.

This matter arises in the Dáil on a regular basis. Deputies Aindrias and Michael Moynihan and Murphy O'Mahony, all of whom were in attendance earlier, have raised it with me and it has been raised by others also. It must be part of the mix in ensuring a proper scheme is put in place and proper compensation for designation becomes part of the next CAP.

I shall now turn to overall costs regarding the assessment of what is required to provide appropriate compensation for farmers whose lands are designated. I understand that there are various options as to how it might happen but perhaps the IFDL will outline what might be the cost.

Will the witnesses also explain what engagement has taken place with other farming organisations? Have any positions been agreed on working together or in coming to a common platform?