Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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211. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase the GPC 1 grant and premium to reflect the cost of establishment and the agricultural income foregone on land (details supplied) in the mid-term review of the forest programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45438/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Mid-Term Review of the Afforestation Programme is currently under preparation and my Department is involved in detailed discussions with stakeholders on it, including on the issues raised by the Deputy. Obviously any proposals must have regard to the available budget and the liability accruing for the State in future years.  I expect that the Review will be published in the coming weeks.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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212. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the removal of the 20% restriction on planting unenclosed land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45439/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Forestry Programme 2014 -2020 is the legal basis for the afforestation scheme insofar as Ireland has State aid approval to support a planting programme from exchequer resources. Details regarding how Ireland proposed to undertake this planting programme were covered in the forestry programme document which included rules governing limitations on planting unenclosed land. Removal of the “20% rule” as it is known could be considered by the Commission as an alteration to an existing plan which could affect the Commission’s initial evaluation of the afforestation scheme in terms of its compatibility with the common market. Whether or not this is the case will most likely be determined in the context of Ireland’s compliance with minimum environmental requirements as set out in paragraph 509 of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020.

My Department met with Commission officials in December 2016 to seek their views on Ireland’s proposals to remove the 20% rule. After this meeting the Commission sought additional information which was provided and have invited Department officials to a further meeting this November.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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213. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the removal of the 20% restriction on planting unenclosed land in order that all land that is technically suitable is eligible under the programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45440/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Department supports the lifting of the 20% rule and met with the European Commission in December 2016 to seek their approval to do so. After this meeting the Commission sought additional information which was provided and a further meeting is planned in November 2017. To support Ireland’s position, my Department, in consultation with the sector, produced  Land Types for Afforestation (March 2016)  and following a public consultation process also produced  Environmental Requirements for Afforestation (December 2016).  Ireland’s position is that these documents combined ensure that only both productive and non environmentally sensitive land is planted in the absence of the 20% rule.