Ms Lilian O'Sullivan:

I thank Deputy Carthy for his question. Related to that, and part of the work we are looking at in the farm carbon project, is whether there is a carbon accrual effect in soil under hedgerows. In the context of an arable setting, the research has shown elsewhere that soil under hedgerows accumulates more carbon. Thinking about hedgerows within their landscape is important. That same finding has not been borne out elsewhere in respect of grassland, so we will see what our results will show in that regard. Dr. Moore has already touched on many of the benefits, but it also depends on the depth of the soil and the way in which the rooting network will develop, which will in turn determine its impacts or effects. By and large, however, it is positive. That is the general sentiment in the context of the setting.