Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Sullivan. West Cork people are very self-reliant, innovative and enterprising, particularly the people of the Beara Peninsula and Bere Island itself. The Department of Defence administers 91.05 ha of land on Bere Island on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in whom the land is vested. The Department of Defence administers 11-month land lettings on 129 acres on Ardagh Mountain and 12.5 acres at Camp Rerrin for the grazing of sheep, cattle and Dexter cattle. The Department of Defence has a fairly significant presence on Bere Island. I hear what Deputy O'Sullivan is saying. It is a strong community. If, through other Departments and agencies, we can support this initiative, I would be very interested in pursuing it with the Deputy.

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