Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

From the outset the Taoiseach has stated that the environment is very important to his premiership, and the influence of the Green Party in government is well known, but one area that has not permeated down to is the new agri-environment scheme. The Taoiseach will be aware of the BurrenLife programme. If he has not been photographed there, he is unusual as a Cabinet Minister. Certainly, the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, have been there. It is not within their area of responsibility, but there is collective Cabinet responsibility. The new agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, will disadvantage the farmers in that scheme, as it will the farmers in the Sleeve Aughty area who are in the hen harrier area. The standard they have to reach is lower but they will get less money. Will that be reviewed and will the disincentive in common-----

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