Vol. 758 No. 1
56Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the findings of the Creative Capital report on industrial relations in the audiovisual industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12717/12]
The Deputy will be aware that the development of the audiovisual industry, including industrial relations issues, was examined during the preparation of the Creative Capital report, Building Ireland's Audiovisual Creative Economy, which was published in July 2011. An implementation committee is examining the advancement of its recommendations. It is chaired by my Department and includes representatives from the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Education and Skills, Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The Irish Film Board, Screen Producers Ireland and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland are also represented on it. I am expecting an internal report from it after Easter.
The Creative Capital report focuses on issues such as talent development, convergence, sectoral growth, education and the digital opportunities for Ireland, as well as reporting on industry leadership, State agency roles and innovation. It will provide a road map for the next few years and assist in enabling the domestic audiovisual content production sector to develop into an internationally traded sector for product and services over the five year period 2011 to 2015.
In the area of industrial relations I understand negotiations are ongoing between the relevant parties under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this juncture.
I thank the Minister for his reply. As he will be aware, I tabled a written parliamentary question on this a number of weeks ago and I was a little disappointed with his reply.
The Creative Capital report from the Department identifies the potential of the Irish film industry to grow at a rate of in excess of 30% in the next five years. It is a very important sector which both of us agree has considerable potential for job creation, but the ongoing limbo the talks between the craft unions and the producers are in is sending out a negative image internationally. Disney has stated publicly it is not prepared to return to Ireland until these practices have been resolved.
The talks between the craft unions and the producers have been ongoing for more than a year, with the unions not making a single concession. The industry is in limbo because there has been an absence of an agreement for five to six years.
One of the most damaging aspects to the Irish film industry abroad is the 50:50 nomination system operated by the craft unions. It gives unions the right to choose 50% of a production crew. To the best of my knowledge, no other industry operates to such criteria.
Will the Minister press Screen Producers Ireland to omit the inclusion of the practice of 50:50 nomination from any new agreement? Given the paralysis in the industry, will he ensure that a new agreement will be finalised by both sides as soon as possible to provide clarity to the international market that Ireland is competitive? In light of the fact that it is ongoing for so long, the Minister might consider intervening personally by seeking to meet the producers and craft unions separately and then trying to mediate between them to bring about a satisfactory conclusion.
It is an important industry where there is potential to grow jobs, but at present there is stalemate which is sending out a negative message to the international community. Disney, a renowned film production company, has vowed not to return to Ireland as long as this practice is in place. The Minister might clarify some of those points for me.
I agree with Deputy Troy that we must be competitive in the film industry to attract film and television drama productions to Ireland. If one compares our costs with those of the UK, for example, we certainly are not competitive. We must look at it from a view of all inputs into the film industry. We must be competitive or else producers will not come to this country. We have had recent experience where, as Deputy Troy stated, they have decided to go elsewhere.
I understand discussions currently are at a sensitive stage with the Labour Relations Commission, the unions representing the various elements of the film industry and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. While I do not want to get into those negotiations or comment on them, I would say that if we are to achieve the target of 10,000 working in the industry following the completion of the Creative Capital report, certainly we must be very competitive. That is why these negotiations are very important and it is very important that they would be concluded as soon as possible.
It would not be appropriate that I or any other Minister would become involved with the Labour Relations Commission. It is not something that would be welcome at this stage. The unions and Screen Producers Ireland are very much involved in talks currently and seem to be making progress.
This is about jobs, and jobs are being put at risk. The Minister's hands-off approach is not appropriate in this instance. I appeal to him to mediate because it is important in that it involves jobs. The Minister's Creative Capital report has clearly outlined the need for action.
I am sure Deputy Troy understands the principles of negotiation. The Labour Relations Commission will certainly be carrying that out. I am sure it would not respond favourably to interference from the Minister at this stage.
57Deputy Peadar Tóibín den an Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé chomh héifeachtach atá a roinn ag cothú na Gaeilge i gceantair Ghaeltachta timpeall na tíre i bhfrithshuí le Ranna Rialtais eile timpeall na cruinne a bhíonn i mbun athbheochan mionteangacha [12888/12]
Tá cur chuige mo Roinne i dtaca le cothú na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht fite fuaite leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030, ina leagtar síos cur chuige comhtháite don Ghaeilge atá ag luí le dea-chleachtas idirnáisiúnta. Ionas gur féidir le mo Roinn an straitéis a chur i bhfeidhm ar an mbealach is éifeachtaí, tá mo Roinn ag féachaint chuige i rith an ama go mbaintear an tairbhe is fearr agus is féidir as an soláthar airgid atá curtha ar fáil le cuidiú le raon leathan scéimeanna gníomhaíochtaí agus beartas.
I measc na ngníomhaíochtaí éagsúla sa Ghaeltacht a thugann mo Roinnse tacaíocht dóibh, tá tábhacht ar leith ag baint leis na coláistí Gaeilge ós rud é gur tionscal teangalárnaithe é a chuireann go mór leis an nGaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Meastar go ngineann infheistíocht mo Roinne de €4.5 milliúin faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge caiteachas iomlán de suas le €50 milliúin sa bhliain sa Ghaeltacht. Déanann na coláistí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht freastal ar suas le 25,000 foghlaimeoir Gaeilge gach bliain. Tugann siad fostaíocht do bhreis agus 700 bean tí ó cheann ceann na Gaeltachta, gan trácht ar mhúinteoirí agus daoine eile a fhaigheann tairbhe na fostaíochta ó na coláistí Gaeilge chomh maith.
Taobh amuigh de na coláistí Gaeilge, déanann mo Roinn scéimeanna teangalárnaithe eile, ar nós scéim na gcúntóirí teanga, a riar a théann chun sochair don phobal Gaeltachta. Chomh maith leis sin, tugann mo Roinn maoiniú reatha d'eagraíochtaí éagsúla sa Ghaeltacht ar mhaithe le seirbhísí éagsúla a sholáthar don phobal agus maoiniú caipitil chun áiseanna pobail a fhorbairt do phobal na Gaeltachta.
Ní miste a lua gur ball í mo Roinn den NPLD - the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity - gréasán Eorpach a bhfuil sé mar phríomhaidhm aige dea-chleachtas a roinnt maidir le pleanáil teanga. Tuigtear dom ónár gcuid oibre san eagraíocht sin go bhféachtar ar an tír seo mar cheannródaí maidir le pleanáil teanga i gcomhthéacs straitéisí.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
Chomh maith leis sin, tá cúrsaí a bhaineann le hathbheochan teangacha ina cheist thábhachtach i gcomhthéacs an Comhairle na Breataine-na hÉireann. Ag cruinniú na nAirí den chomhairle i nGaoth Dobhair anuraidh, bhí mé féin agus na hAirí eile ar aon intinn go bhféadfaimís foghlaim óna chéile sa réimse thábhachtach oibre seo. Sa chomhthéacs seo ar fad, tá mé sásta go bhfuilimid ag plé leis an saineolas idirnáisiúnta is fearr dá bhfuil ann ar mhaithe le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge.
I measc mhuintir na Gaeilge agus a lán saineolaithe timpeall na tíre, níl muinín acu sa Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta. Ceapann a lán daoine nach bhfuil an Roinn dáiríre faoi chur chun cinn na Gaeilge. Ba mhaith liom cupla ceist a chur ar an Aire Stáit maidir le bainistíocht na Ranna, mar saghas bainisteoir ar an Roinn is ea an t-Aire Stáit.
Cad iad na táscairí feidhmíochta is tábhachtaí - key performance indicators - sa Roinn? Cad iad na príomh rudaí a bhfuil an t-Aire Stáit ag tabhairt aire dóibh? An iad stádas na Gaeilge imeasc mhuintir na Gaeltachta, stádas na Gaelge imeasc dhaoine óga na Gaeltachta, an méid tuismitheoirí atá ag tógáil a gclann le Gaeilge, an méid páistí atá ag labhairt na Gaeilge, an méid post atá á chruthú sa Ghaeltacht, an méid infheistíochta atá ag dul isteach sa Ghaeltacht, nó an méid bunscoileanna agus meánscoileanna a mhúineann ábhair tré Ghaeilge? Cad iad na príomh-rudaí agus conas a thomhaiseann an t-Aire Stáit na táscairí feidhmíochta is tábhachtaí?
Maidir leis na táscairí go léir, nach bhfuil sé fíor go bhfuil an tír seo ag dul in olcas le blianta anuas? Conas a chuirfidh an Rialtas stad ar an dtruacht seo? Conas atá an tír ag déanamh i gcodarsnacht na dtíortha eile atá ag obair ar mhionteangacha, ar nós Ceanada, mar shampla? Cén fáth go bhfuil Ceanada chun tosaigh in a lán áiteanna, ar nós dhul chun cinn mhionteangacha, srl.?
Ní aontaím leis an Teachta nach bhfuil an Rialtas agus an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta ag déanamh obair an-thábhachtach ar mhaithe leis an Ghaeltacht agus ar mhaithe leis an Ghaeilge. In ainneoin na ndeacrachtaí eacnamaíochta atá againn i láthair na huaire, tá an Roinn ag cur €60 milliún in aghaidh na bliana ar fáil le tacaíocht a thabhairt do scéimeanna sa Ghaeltacht agus scéimeanna a théann ar mhaithe le tacaíocht a thabhairt don teanga. Ní beag an tsuim airgid é €60 milliún.
D'iarr an Teachta mar gheall ar na heagraíochtaí Gaeltachta lena bhfuil mé ag cabhrú. Tá €7.5 milliún á chur díreach isteach sa Ghaeltacht againn le haghaidh scéimeanna a luaigh mé sa bhfreagra a thug mé. Tá beagnach €30 milliún, idir deontas caipitil agus deontas reatha, á chur isteach in Údarás na Gaeltachta freisin. Tá mé cinnte go n-aontaíonn an Teachta agus Teachtaí eile liom go bhfuil obair an-thábhachtach á dhéanamh ag an údarás. Is é sin an fáth go bhfuilimid ag tabhairt na hacmhainní sin don údarás, in ainneoin an aeráid dheacair eacnamaíochta atá againn. Is é sin an fáth freisin gur shocair an Rialtas go mairfeadh Údarás na Gaeltachta, go mbeadh feidhmeanna tionsclaíochta aige agus go mbeadh príomhfheidhmeannach úr aige gan mhoill. Tá cuid de na rudaí atá á dhéanamh ag an Roinn luaite agam.
Time is up for this question. I remind Deputies that a total of six minutes is available for each priority question - two minutes for the initial reply of the Minister or Minister of State and four minutes for supplementary questions and answers. If it takes the Minister, Minister of State or a Deputy a great deal of time to ask or respond to a supplementary question, that will eat into the total of six minutes. While the time for this question has elapsed, I will allow Deputy Tóibín to ask a very brief supplementary question.
Mar a deirtear i mBéarla, "you cannot manage if you cannot measure." Tá mé ag iarraidh a fháil amach cad iad na tomhais atá á úsáid sa Roinn mar gheall ar rudaí iontacha tábhachtacha cosúil le cé mhéad páistí a labhraíonn an Ghaeilge faoi láthair, cé mhéad páistí a bhí á labhairt cúig bliana ó shin agus cé mhéad páistí a bheidh á labhairt sna Gaeltachtaí i gceann cúig bliana eile.
Beidh áthas ar an Teachta a chloisint go bhfuil scéim tacaíochta teaghlaigh beagnach críochnaithe againn. Beidh an scéim á láinseáil againn taobh istigh de cúpla seachtain. Tabharfaidh sí tacaíocht do theaghlaigh a thoilíonn a gclann a thógáil le Gaeilge, ní ar scoil ach sa bhaile ón am a thagann an páiste ar an saol. Tá sé an-gaolmhar leis an scéim atá acu sa Bhreatain Bheag. Tá comhoibriú idir muidne, an Bhreatain Bheag agus Ceanada ag tarlú. Beidh go leor scéimeanna eile á fhógairt againn idir seo agus deireadh na bliana. Díreoidh na scéimeanna isteach ar an páiste chomh hóg agus is féidir é sin a dhéanamh.
58Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline, in relation to the Gathering event planned for 2013, if he is considering any genealogical element to the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12636/12]
While the Gathering event is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am conscious of the tourism potential of genealogy for attracting the diaspora to our shores. Therefore, I welcome my fellow Minister's initiative. He has stated he expects the Gathering to be one of the biggest tourism initiatives ever to be undertaken in Ireland. It will be a year-long event in 2013 when people at home and abroad can play a part in the country's recovery, potentially bringing in 325,000 extra tourists and providing a major economic stimulus.
The Gathering is a hugely important and timely initiative for the tourism sector, one which my Department and the national cultural institutions which operate under its aegis are very pleased to support and participate in. In that context, officials from my Department are working closely with their colleagues in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and agencies within its ambit - Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland - on cultural, genealogical and heritage tourism matters. I see the Gathering as an excellent opportunity to enhance genealogical tourism.
Genealogical records made available through my Department have been extremely popular with the public at home and abroad. The success of the digitisation project of the 1901-1911 census is the best proof of this. The website, hosted and managed by the National Archives of Ireland, has proved to be phenomenally popular, with over 648 million hits and more than 13 million individual visits to date. The certificate of Irish heritage has now been linked with the site.
I agree with the Minister that the online availability of the 1901 and 1911 census information provides people with an opportunity to undertake research in advance of their arrival here. In the absence of many of the 19th century census records, the General Register Office which provides information on births, marriages and deaths is important. We must put our best foot forward in this regard. Digitisation of records enables people to carry out research in advance and thus increases the likelihood of their coming here. While there is an online facility for researching births, marriages and deaths, it is part of the Church of Latter Day Saints' website rather than the website of the General Register Office, which I do not understand. Searching online is much simpler than having to physically search through large indexes in the General Register Office located in the Irish Life Mall. Much more needs to be done in this regard, from which we could get a decent return. I ask the Minister to address this issue in conjunction with other relevant Departments, if necessary.
While I agree with the Deputy, I do not have direct responsibility for the General Register Office. The Deputy will be aware that in the autumn I brought together all of those involved in the country in genealogy. We had a successful forum, under the chairmanship of Judge McMahon, in the National Library, at which this issue was raised. I am awaiting a report from the group. The General Register Office is an important source of information. I agree with the Deputy that the more information we can make available to the Diaspora the better and the more sources there are through which people can make connections and trace their roots, the more interest there will be . We must ensure all of the information is digitised and made available to a global audience. I previously informed the Deputy that I intended to introduce legislation to enable digitisation of the 1926 census returns. The legislation has been approved by the Cabinet. Following its enactment, I will have to come up with the resources to implement it. I cannot start the process until the enabling legislation has been passed. It is hoped it will be ready in June or July.
I am aware of the importance of this issue to the Deputy. I agree that it is important we make every source of information available to allow people, irrespective of where they are in the world, to make a connection with this country.
When does the Minister expect to receive the report from Judge McMahon? Also, has the cost of implementing the enabling legislation been quantified?
There are various ways of approaching this matter. Obviously, special provision will have to be made. We could, for example, consider putting in place an agreement with a person or body on the provision of this information and the person or body could recoup the costs over time by way of charging for the information provided. I am not suggesting that will be the ultimate solution, but it is a possibility. It is important that the enabling legislation to allow this happen is put in place first.
59Deputy Michael P. Kitt den an Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé na treoirscéimeanna atá aige ina Roinn agus, go háirithe, maidir leis an treoirscéim um Ghaeltachtaí nua a ainmniú, cad iad na réigiúin atá i gceist; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [12718/12]
Tá áthas orm a chur in iúl don Teachta gur thóg an Rialtas cinneadh ar 7 Feabhra 2012 go ndéanfar Bille Gaeltachta 2012 a dhréachtú mar thosaíocht. Mar atá molta faoin Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-30, tá sé beartaithe faoin mBille Gaeltachta go mbeidh an Ghaeltacht bunaithe feasta ar chritéir theangeolaíocha seachas ar limistéir thíreolaíocha, mar a bhí go dtí seo. Beidh an phleanáil teanga ag leibhéal an phobail lárnach do phróiseas an tsainmhínithe nua don Ghaeltacht.
Tá sé i gceist faoin mBille Gaeltachta go mbeidh deis ag ceantair, lasmuigh de na ceantair thraidisiúnta Gaeltachta, aitheantas reachtúil a bhaint amach mar ghréasáin Ghaeilge, faoi réir critéir phleanála teanga sonraithe a bheith comhlíonta acu. Mar atá ráite faoin straitéis 20 bliain, is ceantair iad na gréasáin Ghaeilge seo a mbeidh a bhformhór i bpobail uirbeacha agus a mbeidh cnap criticiúil bunúsach tacaíochta pobail agus Stáit iontu don Ghaeilge.
Tá plé ar siúl faoi láthair idir fheidhmeannaigh mo Roinne agus feidhmeannaigh Fhoras na Gaeilge maidir leis na critéir phleanála teanga cuí a bheadh le comhlíonadh chun aitheantas reachtúil a bhaint amach mar ghréasáin Ghaeilge. Tá sé i gceist freisin comhairle chuí a chur ar fáil do phobail a bhfuil spéis acu plean teanga a ullmhú chun aitheantas mar Ghréasáin Ghaeilge a bhaint amach.
Dúirt an tAire Stáit go dtabharfaidh sé stádas speisialta d'áiteanna ina bhfuil daoine ag obair ar son na Gaeilge. An bhfuil sé ar intinn ag an Roinn cúpla réigiún a phiocadh amach agus scéim phíolótach a chur ar bun?
Tá sé ar intinn againn roinnt ceantar a phiocadh amach agus scéimeanna phíolótacha a chur i bhfeidhm. Tá Foras na Gaeilge chun dul ag plé le ceantair a n-aithnítear go bhfuil an Ghaeilge le feiscint agus le cloisint iontu go soiléir. Tá feidhmeannaigh ó Fhoras na Gaeilge ag déanamh teagmhála le roinnt ceantar den chineál sin chun an chur chuige seo a chur i bhfeidhm. Aontaím leis an Teachtas go bhfuil go leor ceantar mar sin ar fud na tíre. Seachtain ó shin, bhí mé i láthair ag bronnadh Ghlór na nGael i Má Nuad i gContae Chill Dara nuair a bhí eagraíochtaí agus cumainn as gach páirt den tír, an chuid is mó dóibh as taobh amuigh de na Gaeltachtaí agus cuid mhaith dóibh as Tuaisceart na hÉireann. Bhí na céadta daoine ann, daoine atá ag obair lá i ndiaidh lae go deonach ar mhaithe le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge.
Beidh roinnt ceantar pioctha amach le bheith ar scéimeanna phíolótacha ach níl siad luaite ná fógraithe go poiblí go fóill. Ba mhaith liom a dheimhniú arís go bhfuil Foras na Gaeilge ag obair ar seo agus beidh sé i dteagmháil leis na ceantair sin muna bhfuil sé i dteagmháil leo cheana féin. Beidh dul chun cinn le sonrú ansin gan mhoill.
An féidir leis an Aire Stáit na háiteanna nó na réigiúin sin a ainmniú? Cén uair a thosnóidh na scéimeanna sin?
Mar a dúirt mé, tá an oiread sin acu ann agus chonaic mé le mo shúile agus chuala mé le mo chluasa daoine as gach páirt den tír. Tá aitheantas ann go bhfuil ceantair ann atá an-láidir, cuid acu sna cathracha, b'fhéidir anseo i mBaile Átha Cliath agus ar fud na tíre. Ní bheadh sé ceart ag an pointe seo aon cheann ar leith a fhógairt go dtí go mbeidh na comhráití a bheidh ar siúl idir iad féin agus Foras na Gaeilge, agus b'fhéidir an Roinn, tugtha chun críche. Ach geallaim don Teachta go mbeidh dul chun cinn á dhéanamh gan mhoill.
Tá sé cosúil leis an lottery - "It could be you!"
D'fhéadfá a rá go bhfuil sé. Tá seans ag gach duine. Braitheann sé ar na daoine iad féin. Má léiríonn siad go bhfuil suim acu sa Ghaeilge agus go bhfuil an Ghaeilge á labhairt ina ceantar, níl fáth ar bith nach dtabharfaí aitheantas dóibh. Tá an ceart ag an Teachta.
60Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to institute a strategy to tackle the escalating numbers of mink throughout the country in view of the impact this particular animal has upon the landscape, habitat and other wildlife in the areas affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12891/12]
Mink found in the wild in Ireland are descended from animals that escaped from fur farms. They have been breeding in the countryside since the 1950s and are now found throughout much of the country. A report published by my Department in 2009 estimated the population of wild mink in the State could reach a total of between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals. It identified ground-nesting birds as the species most vulnerable to mink predation.
For some time I have been concerned about the prevalence of feral mink around the country and especially their effects on ground-nesting birds. However, the cost of a national cull would be prohibitive at this time. Accordingly, my Department is concentrating its resources on protecting the nesting sites of rare and threatened bird species such as the red-throated diver, the corncrake, the grey partridge, waders and terns from a range of predators, including mink. Experience has shown that targeted control of predators at specific times can have a significant benefit to the breeding success of these species.
I am aware of the work of the National Association of Regional Game Councils which has been actively promoting mink control to its members by providing funding for its regional councils for the purchase of traps for individual clubs. I decided to provide €20,000 for the organisation towards the payment of a bounty to hunters this year based on the number of mink killed. I consider this to be a useful addition to the control measures already being taken by my Department on land it owns. While feral mink are found in most parts of the country, I requested that, as far as possible, special attention be given to the counties of Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Kerry where my Department has already concentrated its efforts. The bounty scheme will be operated by the National Association of Regional Game Councils and a verification process will be in operation between it and my Department. As wild mink are not protected under the Wildlife Acts, they can be controlled by landowners and their agents.
It is evident that there has been a massive increase in the number of wild mink in Ireland. When in opposition in 2010 the Taoiseach raised this matter in the House with the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, and what was said received coverage in the Mayo Advertiser. At the time it was believed, perhaps on the basis of a census carried out or a rough estimate made in 2009, that up to 33,500 mink were living in the wild. I am sure that now there are between 40,000 abd 50,000 wild mink throughout the country. All of the evidence, particularly that relating to a number of incidents which occurred in recent years, seems to point to the fact that the population of wild mink is increasing at a rapid rate. Wild mink are causing havoc among and damage to other species of wildlife and rare species of birds. There have also been attacks on domestic farmyard fowl. When I was at home in west Kerry recently, I listened to a radio report in which was outlined the major damage done in farmyards throughout the Corcha Dhuibhne area. It must also be borne in mind that these days many ordinary people keep poultry in order to ensure they have a stock of eggs. There is evidence to suggest mink are present on the Great Blasket Island and Puffin Island. I, therefore, ask the Minister to take immediate action to prevent the numbers of mink on the islands in question from increasing even further. These mink will wipe out rare birds and other species of wildlife if they are allowed to roam the islands in the way they have been permitted to wander the mainland.
I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Not only are mink a threat to other species of wildlife, they are also a threat to domestic fowl. The Deputy has referred to a few incidents which occurred in west Kerry. I can inform him that similar incidents took place in the northern part of the county where a huge flock of turkeys was completely wiped out just prior to Christmas. What is happening is also affecting people economically. This is a matter which we must address. To that end, I have made €20,000 available this year. The total cost to the Department for the control of mink is approximately €100,000, but we will have to provide more resources in the future.
In the Hebrides in Scotland it was proved that with a proper eradication programme, mink could be exterminated in an environment. However, that was on a smaller island. To exterminate mink entirely in this country it would cost approximately €100 million, a significant amount of money. This is a very important issue, especially if we consider ground-nesting birds, to which mink are doing more damage than any other species. Such birds include the corncrake, a rare species.
We need a national campaign. Perhaps the partnership and Leader groups might get involved in providing grant aid for farmers. We must put in place a trap system as the bounty system has failed to work. There is evidence of this in Iceland particularly, as during the years the population has grown, despite the existence of several bounty schemes. I will speak to the Minister later, but perhaps something might be done with the rural development groups in providing Leader programme funding and grant aid for local farmers. Mink which are trapped could be used as part of a commercial activity to offset the cost of trapping the animals. I do not know, however, if that suggestion would be feasible.
I thank the Deputy for his very practical proposal; he usually comes here with good and practical proposals. We can discuss the matter again.
