Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1394. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reintroduce a drainage scheme for farmland in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41663/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The possibility of including a measure on clearing drains  in the farm safety scheme under TAMS II is included in the Programme for Partnership Government. Any such measure would require full compliance with environmental requirements including the need for a full national Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessments for any potentially affected Natura Areas. European Commission approval would therefore be a significant challenge. A number of key challenges therefore arise and a scheme for land drainage is not included in the current Rural Development Programme.