James Breen
Ceist:144 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if compensation will be given to farmers who have been refused permission to plant their land due to high alkalinity levels. [25385/02]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
Sites which have been shown to be acid sensitive following alkalinity testing carried out in accordance with a protocol agreed between my Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, are not eligible for grant aid under my Department's afforestation grant and premium scheme. It is open to the landowners to proceed with planting without grant and premium payments. Consequently, as there is no statutory prohibition on the planting of trees on these sites, the question of compensation does not arise.