Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Minister that it is important to get this right. In terms of the eight co-operation areas and the menu B items, I have been studying the maps and there is some really exciting potential there. The one most relevant to me is the Cork Kerry co-operation area which takes in parts of Kerry and large parts of west Cork. Having studied the maps, however, a very obvious omission in that area is the Mizen peninsula. The Beara Peninsula is included, as is the Sheep's Head Peninsula which is right next to the Mizen Peninsula, but none of Mizen is included. As someone who knows the area extremely well from the point of view of biodiversity and breeding birds, I would argue that the exclusion of Mizen must be reviewed. There are some high-value biodiversity areas there and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, data tell us that. I think this was a desktop exercise that has led to the omission of Mizen Head. I ask that this be changed. It would only lead to the inclusion of between 50 and 100 additional farmers. I ask the Minister to review the west Cork and Kerry co-operation area.

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