Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has time between now and when the single payment forms come out in the spring to look at this area. Where there are commonages and where the forage area is reduced, by definition they are able to hold less stock. If they are able to hold less stock, it will cause even more undergrazing and a reduction in the habitat status of the commonage. It is an important issue. Ideally the Minister should retain the forage areas but ensure the commonage is grazed and put a plan in place to graze these commonages. Will the Minister look at this area between now and when the forms come out in spring to investigate the possibility of doing this and the consequences for the State of not doing this? There are very competent people on the environment side of things within the National Parks and Wildlife Service and elsewhere who would understand the potential consequences for the State.

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