Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

These are EU directives and we have gone through this before. We are where we are and we must deal with it. My Department is working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and it is clear that these farmers will get priority under the GLAS scheme. There was a scheme in my Department but, under the GLAS scheme, many more farmers with lands designated will be able to avail of it. My Department is working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and we must strike the right balance so that farmers can continue to farm and the environment can be protected.

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