Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Gavan knows as well as I do how important this particular issue is.

This is a project which was committed to by previous governments and my understanding of the programme for Government is very clear, in that any project that has been committed to would proceed. Where has the change happened in the programme for Government? We need clarity on that fairly urgently.

The other issue I wish to raise with the acting Leader is the plight of the farmers on the Burren in County Clare, who essentially are the custodians of the Burren and who have done great work in protecting the environment and in ensuring the flora, the fauna and the unique character of the Burren thrive. That has happened through State support with a particular scheme that has been developed, promoted, designed, and has been ultimately successful in European awards. Dr. Brendan Dunford and other people have worked tirelessly to create a scheme that benefits and promotes farming in the Burren but also conserves that area and ensures that its unique international character is retained. There is the winterage scheme and even the Burren Winterage Weekend festival, which took place two weeks ago and was a phenomenal success.

Now, the farmers are being encouraged to take part in an agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, which is operating in part of Galway and other areas. This is welcome in its own right but the problem is that it will certainly create a situation where farmers in the Burren will be short-changed. Yes, it will benefit some but it should benefit all. While ACRES is welcome in its own right, why should farmers in the Burren suffer as a result of it? What was wrong with the scheme that this Government and previous governments nominated for and which won international awards? What was wrong with that scheme running in parallel with ACRES?

My call is to have a debate with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on ACRES in this House in order that we can tease out why he intends to financially disadvantage farmers in the Burren.