Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The hen harrier project in Slieve Aughty is now winding down, as is Burren Life. Farmers farming in designated areas are now receiving less money than they did before. Initially, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, said they would receive as much under ACRES. It is now abundantly clear to everybody that they are getting less money. When I pointed this out to the Tánaiste towards the end of his tenure as Taoiseach, he said it was not good enough. I have raised it consistently since. The last I heard from the Minister was that he would ask his officials to look into it, which is kind of the political equivalent of saying, "Ask your mother". I have not heard back since. When you ask one parent and they say ask the other parent, it goes over and back until you stop asking. They are now winding down. This is the last opportunity. It is good enough or is it not good enough? If it is not, will the Government provide funding for farmers in designated areas who are farming environmentally sensitive lands to a high standard and getting less money for it than they did previously?

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