Mr. John Keane:

Much has been covered. Deputy Harkin asked for our understanding of what is happening in this regard at EU level. I understand it is due by the end of 2023. It is going to follow a strategic process similar to the CAP strategic plans, namely, 24 months to form a plan, six months for observations by the Commission and then six months for Ireland to respond to any changes proposed at Commission level. We understand that the European Parliament agriculture committee has been asked to provide an opinion on it, but the rapporteur on that committee has not yet been appointed. There is obviously work to be done with Irish representation on that committee to ensure the voices from this room, the Oireachtas and other places are reflected in the contributions from that side of things.

Senator Lombard spoke about an economic assessment and an enhanced environmental assessment, which has been mentioned a number of times. We have question marks over what exactly is going to be measured in an enhanced environmental assessment. If there is no baseline for what the environmental footprint or outlook is on peatlands or organic soils now, what exactly is the baseline to be measured from? What improvement is going to be measured over the course of this period of time? Until an actual baseline is established, I am not sure what is being assessed.

On the question of an economic assessment, I return to some of the other points we made earlier. Article 12 of the regulation speaks about the content of the national restoration plans. There is an irony in here as well. Article 12(2)(m) refers to an indication that the content of the national restoration plans must give "an indication of the subsidies which negatively affect the achievement of the targets and the fulfilment of the obligations set out in this Regulation". From our understanding, that puts all payments that support any kind of production on farms at risk. Article 12(2)(n), irony of ironies, refers to "a summary of the process for preparing and establishing the national restoration plan, including information on public participation and of how the needs of local communities and stakeholders have been considered". Up to now, there has not been much consideration or assessment of what is going to impact on our communities or on rural people.

Deputies Fitzmaurice and Danny Healy-Rae and others spoke about the need to ensure there are young people left in rural areas. Many members of our organisation are from parts of the west of Ireland where other environmental measures have taken place, including large forestry plantations that are very important for the environment also. We are talking about a doubling-up of the impact of these measures on such communities. I cannot remember the last time a coniferous tree walked into a post office and posted a letter. Flooding bogs in these areas is going to have a huge impact on the social fabric in these communities as well. Our members in GAA clubs and many other clubs in these areas are finding it difficult to field teams at under-10, under-12 and under-14 levels. This is the reality of what is happening in these communities. As has been mentioned, measures like this will, at the stroke of a pen, impact on our rural communities. If all of these measures as currently proposed are brought forward, it will be a case of the last person out turning off the lights. Opportunities need to be created in the sector and not barriers.