Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1364: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason only 31 sheep are allowed to graze on 369 acres of commonage in Rossrow Renvyle, Connemara, when the impact on the environment of the commonage not being fully grazed is more serious than if the commonage was grazed in a reasonable fashion. [2432/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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This is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as it relates to the implementation of European Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds.

The commonage referred to is located within the Twelve Bens/Maamturk complex, an area where the continuing level of overgrazing resulted in the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) introducing additional grazing restrictions to protect the site as recently as 2008.

To compensate for the additional restrictions the NPWS have put in place an agreed compensation package for all farmers affected. I understand that this action was necessary in order to satisfy the European Commission of Ireland's compliance with a judgment of the European Court of Justice under Directive 79/409/EEC to protect the habitat of the Red Grouse.