Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the definition of a national park, I know the NPWS's website states that it uses the International Union for the Conservation of Nature criteria and that those standards have been endorsed and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will abide by them. These criteria state that ecosystems should not be materially altered by human exploitation and occupation. I know some national parks were previously estates. Regarding the new national park in Meath, I agree 100% with Mr. Ó Donnchú that we need agricultural research but I would like to understand the rationale for what is happening in Meath. A private corporation carrying out agricultural research within a national park does not really meet the criteria for a national park. Is this private corporation paying rent to the NPWS to carry out that research on land that is supposed to be within a national park?