Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for showing an interest in this matter. It is unfortunate that Deputy Ó Cuív, having noted my presence in the Chamber, chose not to stay around for this question as it relates to a legacy of the previous Government when it abandoned farmers in hen harrier designated lands. I come from west County Limerick where practically all land, from Newcastle West to Abbeyfeale, has been designated hen harrier land. This a major issue in designated areas which include parts of north County Cork, north County Galway, east County Clare, east County Galway and counties Tipperary and Monaghan.

I thank the Minister for the efforts he has made in trying to resolve this issue, which has arisen because farmers in hen harrier designated areas were essentially abandoned by the previous Government when it announced a scheme only to pull the plug on it and walk away. In doing so, it left the designation in place without providing for compensation or even recognition, which is what many of the affected farmers were seeking.

I thank the Minister sincerely for the level of engagement he has had with the farming organisations on this issue. While only a small number of people are affected, a terrible wrong was committed against them. At least the Department, through the Minister, has now acknowledged this wrong and is trying to do something about it. What is the timeframe for rolling out the scheme?

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