Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2015
348. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 10 March 2015, if he will confirm that all lands will be effectively designated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11537/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised under Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 10 March, 2015, those Hen Harrier lands which attract a €370 per hectare payment under GLAS are lands notified to my Department by the National Parks & Wildlife Service. These lands include areas formally designated by NPWS, or otherwise identified by them as important for the preservation of the hen harrier. Within GLAS, which is a completely voluntary scheme, all such lands must be farmed to a prescription which preserves the bird habitat. However, this in no way changes the status of the lands one way or another, nor does it mean that additional lands are now formally designated.
