Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I was very surprised at what I thought was the Minister's introductory remarks when he cited the Burren LIFE project and the hen harrier project as examples of how things would proceed.

The Minister kindly gave me a copy of his speech. It said, "Another example of farmers’ engagement is the Burren scheme, funded by my Department for many years and as an EU LIFE project, recognised as best in class across the EU for its approach to working with farmers to conserve and promote biodiversity." However, that brings me very much to the issue of who will pay for this, because the fact is that farms across Slieve Aughty and much of County Limerick - I hope Deputy Leddin is still listening to this debate, because he should check what happened - were designated and the farmers were promised compensation. They got compensation in the Burren, Slieve Aughty and across areas that were zoned or designated as a hen harrier project, but the compensation stopped.

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