Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2004
320 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made to date on discussions to compensate farmers in the Shannon callows; when his officials last held a meeting with farming organisations on the issue; the progress made at such a meeting; when he last held a meeting with farm organisations on the issue; the progress made at such a meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3393/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraDiscussions have been proceeding in a working group on management prescriptions for habitats that occur in the callows, and on the assessment of losses and costs for landowners arising from implementation of the draft prescriptions. It was expected that final agreement would be reached at a meeting of this working group, which was held on 23 January 2004, but this did not prove possible. Agreement would have allowed farmers, other than those who opt for the REP scheme, to be compensated by my Department for actual costs and losses arising from implementation of management prescriptions. My Department is maintaining contact with the farming representatives to see how agreement might be reached.
