Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the witnesses. Their presentation and the responses to questions have emanated common sense, and farmers appreciate that as much as everybody else. It is vital when we meet representatives of the Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, next week that we ask them to consult with the witnesses at a senior level. That would be very helpful. In the past, the NPWS has made a decision and written to farmers informing them that their land is a special protection area; it would even give a grant of €1,350 for an appeal. The process is complete madness and there are 280 appeals in my constituency alone. Everybody has a letter stating they can avail of a grant of €1,350 for an appeal. This occurs instead of sitting down with people and achieving local buy-in.

Lessons can be learned from the process and if local buy-in is to be achieved, people must be brought on board. Teagasc is trusted by farmers and there should be a level of co-operation. That is not to slate the NPWS but it does not have due regard for the manner in which farmers must make a living from the land. It takes the process from a different perspective but I hope we can play a role.