Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I have another meeting to go to at 5 p.m. so I will be brief. I thank the delegation for the presentation. It has been very informative and helpful. The representatives from Irish Farmers with Designated Land mentioned three areas where issues arise. Planning was one issue, especially in the context of solar farms and wind turbines, as mentioned by my colleague. Will the group elaborate on how the county development plans have changed, altered or affected them with regard to once-off planning? Has designation become an issue? County development plans come under the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. How has that affected designation?

Will the group representatives elaborate on the position regarding the National Parks and Wildlife Service? The matter crosses over between the Departments responsible for agriculture and wildlife. The service is the designated body and it is responsible for designating the lands. My colleague on my right referred to the appeals process and how ineffective it has been in moving some designations. Will the representatives of the group elaborate on their views regarding where they are going and how that can be progressed?

The other question is where the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine fits in. It is amazing that this issue probably crosses three Departments, if not more, from what I have determined so far. There are issues with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. A scheme is in place for which there is a budget of €25 million. There is an issue regarding the payment for between one and 19 ha. The payment does not continue all the way through. Is that the major grievance in respect of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the payment structure? Are there other issues the group can highlight for me?

I must leave to attend another meeting but I will be picking up on the answers later.