Archaeological Sites

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022

Tuesday, 5 April 2022

Questions (913)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

913. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that ancient raths also known as ringforts or fairy forts will not be considered as areas for nature under the new iteration of the Common Agricultural Policy despite their eminent suitability for nature preservation; the examination that was conducted into the potential impact of this decision on the survival of the remaining raths given the intensified destruction that has already wiped out half of the 60,000 raths in the past few decades; and if he has discussed, or will discuss the matter with the Minister of State with special responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform, the Minister of State with special responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity or with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media given the importance of raths to heritage, land use, biodiversity, tourism and culture with a view to reconsidering this decision. [17676/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

National Monuments which include raths or ringforts are eligible under the current CAP and it is proposed that they will continue to remain eligible in the new CAP starting from 2023.

Within Cross Compliance, there are certain Landscape features which are designated under the current GAEC (Good Agricultural and Environment Condition) 7 – “Retention of Landscape Features & Designated Habitats and Controlling Invasive Species”. Since 2015, all archaeological sites and monuments have been included and therefore are protected and cannot be removed. These features are also eligible for payment under the various area based schemes operated by my Department.

This is specifically covered in the 2022 Basic Payment Scheme Terms and Conditions and also was covered in the Explanatory Handbook for Cross Compliance issued to all farmers.

Within Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) which was submitted to the European Commission on 31 December 2021, archaeological features, are included as eligible features for payment purposes and while the CSP is subject to European Commission approval, it is expected that these features will continue to be eligible.

Archaeological features are exceptionally important features in our landscape and I recognise their significance and hence they have been protected within the current CAP and will continue to be in the new CAP.