Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
247. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he authorised the National Parks and Wildlife Service to negotiate on the proposed new locally led agri-environment schemes, when the scheme for the Shannon Callows will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43833/15]
View answerThe proposed new Locally-led Measure is an initiative of my Department which is being discussed at present with the European Commission, following which I hope to see it added to the Irish Rural Development Programme by way of formal amendment. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are advising on different aspects of the new measure but I should point out that they are not part of my Department and nor have I ‘authorised’ them to negotiate in any way on behalf of my Department in relation to the locally-led schemes initiative. The first of these schemes to be rolled out will be the Burren Programme, for which applications have already been sought, and work is progressing on other schemes which will be included under the Locally-Led umbrella later in 2016 and 2017. Freshwater pearl mussel catchments, hen harrier habitats and peat uplands have all been identified as candidates for support. Other candidates will emerge from a competitive process which will be announced in 2016, and a scheme for the Shannon Callows may well emerge from that process.
