Vol. 509 No. 4
310 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason she has not acceded to a request by a committee (details supplied) for a meeting to have outstanding matters discussed; if her attention has been drawn to the growing discontent in the general area concerning the corncrake grant; and if she will meet with the committee. [20683/99]
While I had agreed in principle some months ago to arrange a visit to meet on the ground with the committee referred to by the Deputy, it had not proved possible up to last week to set a date for such a meeting. I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy, however, that it has now been agreed with the committee that a meeting will take place in Tullamore at 12 noon on 29 October 1999.
In general, farmers in special areas of conservation and special protection areas are required to farm their land in accordance with either a Department of Agriculture and Food REPS, rural environment protection scheme, plan, for which appropriate payments are made, or a plan prepared by my Department under which compensation will be payable for actual income losses arising as a result of designation. Farmers in corncrake areas may avail of an additional option by entering the voluntary BirdWatch Ireland corncrake grant scheme which is part funded by my Department.
