Mr. John Medlycott:

The Chairman had a question about the Burren. All this work started because people such as Mr. Dunne and other members of our board decided we should study the Burren. We have had much contact with Mr. Michael Davoren in the Burren and Mr. Dunford. If it had not been for them and their support for us, we probably would not be present today. There are very strong links.

A question was asked about the selling of Wicklow lamb at an earlier stage. Cheviot sheep owners decided two or three years ago to try to develop a scheme for the sale of Wicklow lamb. This scheme did not get off the ground because there was a big drop in lamb prices that coincided with its introduction. However, the scheme is still in the background.

A question we have not fully answered is the question of young farmers. There are 27 members on our board, one of whom is a member of Macra na Feirme who represents quite a large number of young and active farmers in Wicklow. One of the people most involved in the lamb scheme is a young farmer who lives in the Glencree-Glencullen area. We still have some young farmers in Wicklow, some of whom are operating on a full-time basis.

This report is not just a report produced on behalf of the hill farmers of Wicklow. It is also very clearly produced on behalf of the Wicklow Uplands Council. It is important to understand that the council is not just an organisation of farmers. It represents motorbike users, scramblers, mountaineers, climbers, community groups, etc. Before the report saw the light of day and before its launch by the Minister, Deputy Coveney, a couple of weeks ago in Glendalough, it had the unanimous support of the entire board of the council. When it was discussed at council meetings, nobody was really against it. The reason we are all in favour of it is that we are concerned about protecting and preserving the hills of Wicklow, as implied by Deputy Ó Cuív.