Vol. 507 No. 4
40 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has for a nature conservation unit in his Department to oversee the conservation issues in the REP scheme as recommended by the Heritage Council as part of its statutory role in proposing policies to the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14857/99]
My Department already draws heavily on the environmental expertise of Dúchas in the drawing up of environmental prescriptions for particular types of habitats under the rural environment protection scheme and in the preparation and assessment of the commonage framework plans under supplementary measure A of the scheme. While I am aware of the proposal from the Heritage Council and I am keeping the matter under consideration, the present arrangements appear to be working well and I would be anxious to avoid any duplication in State services in this area.
