Vol. 506 No. 1
50 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the recommendations from organisations such as Birdwatch Ireland, Crann and the Heritage Council that an ecological and nature conservation unit should be established in his Department in view of the importance of the rural environmental protection scheme for future policy in relation to habitat in Ireland. [14765/99]
I am aware of this proposal and am keeping the matter under consideration.
However, my Department already works closely with Dúchas in the preparation and assessment of the commonage framework plans under supplementary measure A of the rural environment protection scheme.
Environmental prescriptions for particular habitats etc. are drawn up by a committee chaired by my Department, with representatives from Duchas, the farming organisations and environmental bodies such as Birdwatch Ireland.
