Michael Ring
Ceist:227 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when the framework documents will be completed. [20337/01]
Written Answers. - Commonage Framework Plans.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:234 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the position in relation to the framework plans; the reason for the delay in their finalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20375/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 234 together.
The preparation of commonage framework plans being carried out jointly by my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development is well advanced. Work has been completed on plans covering almost 350,000 hectares of commonage, or 71% of the total. For upland commonage in the six western counties, to which the interim 30% destocking was applied, work is 90% complete. Publication will not be possible until the plans have been completed for all these commonages. Due to delays arising from the foot and mouth disease crisis the work has been set back by approximately three months.