Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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1050. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to an application by a person (details supplied) under the single payment scheme 2014, if two parcels are within a site designated under European Union law as a special area of conservation or as a special protection area, and as such if cognisance was taken of European Union rules whereby if these lands were deemed eligible in 2008 they maintained their eligibility where the designation prohibited actions taking place on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10224/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The holding in question was subject to a Remote Sensing inspection in 2014. As part of this process a follow up ground check on the parcels in question, namely 13729301 and G13729302, was undertaken to clarify issues regarding the eligibility of the lands. In January 2015 officers of my Department inspected these lands and identified that there was no agricultural activity being carried out resulting in the lands being ineligible for payment under the 2014 Direct Payment Schemes.

In relation to the designation of lands, only part of one of the parcels (G13729302) is designated as a Special Area of Conservation. Notwithstanding this designation, as officers of my Department had determined that there was no agricultural activity present on either parcel, the provisions relating to eligibility under the Direct Payment Schemes and the specific provisions attaching to designated lands cannot be considered in this case.