Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps taken to date to progress the north midlands wetland park project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14584/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, at the request of North Midlands Peatlands Park Committee (NMPPC), I facilitated a meeting with elected representatives and members of the NMPPC on 9 October 2012. At that meeting, I explained that in principle my Department would welcome any initiative to rehabilitate cutaway bog in a way that enhances its biodiversity and its attractiveness to visitors. I also explained that, as Bord na Móna has stewardship of the bogs in question, their management, present use for commercial peat production and future rehabilitation are, in the first instance, matters for that organisation.

Given that my Department is broadly supportive of initiatives of this nature, and in order to be assistance in relation to the proposed project, I wrote to Bord na Móna following the meeting with the NMPPC. My Department remains willing to engage with Bord na Móna in relation to the matter if it is considered that such engagement would be helpful.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on a submission (details supplied) regarding designation of lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14606/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Under the EU Birds Directive, Ireland must designate Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the conservation of certain endangered species of bird, including the Hen Harrier. Six SPAs were proposed for the conservation of hen harrier in November 2007. Two of these sites include lands located in the area referred to by the Deputy.

The process to designate these sites provided an opportunity for land-owners to appeal the inclusion of their land within the SPA. All such appeals have now been dealt with and the final boundary for each site has been confirmed through separate Statutory Instruments.

As an alternative to the agri-environmental schemes operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the National Parks & Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme has been operated by my Department and made available to landowners in Hen Harrier SPAs. Under the scheme, farmers voluntarily undertake to abide by certain farming practices, which enhance the habitat for the species, over a period of five years. In return, they receive annual payments from my Department. Due to budgetary constraints, the scheme is now closed to new applicants but contractual commitments with participating farmers are being honoured.