Vol. 478 No. 3
100 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the recent agreement on the special areas of conservation between his Department and the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht has received approval at EU Commission level. [11027/97]
Discussions have recently commenced with the European Commission on the application and co-financing of a package of measures to apply in special areas of conservation and special protection areas under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives respectively. The agreement reached between my Department, the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht and farmer representatives provided for compensation in respect of SAC-SPA designations to apply through an enhanced REPS scheme or through an alternative scheme operated by the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
