Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Commonage Framework Plan.

Michael Ring

Question:

198 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when the framework documents will be in place for commonages in the western region; the position in this regard; and the areas which have been finalised. [25580/99]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 195 of 11 November 1999.

Framework plans have been completed for areas totalling some 45,000 hectares of commonage to date. However, the process used in the preparation of those plans, and their application to individual farmers, is more complex than originally anticipated. Commonage blocks finalised to date have yet to take account of lands in other commonages. Therefore, for practical purposes, no single commonage area is fully complete. In the interim the national commonage framework plan requiring 30 per cent destocking will continue in force.