14 Ean 2013, 14:57
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine will tomorrow discuss the Burren Farming for Conservation Porgramme, a pioneering agri-environment programme designed to conserve and support the heritage, environment and communities of the Burren.
14 January 2013
Dr Brendan Dunford will outline the contribution of the programme to the sustainability of the unique Burren region. The programme, which commenced in 2010 and is currently in its final year, is jointly funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the National Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Dr Dunford will be joined tomorrow by BFCP colleague Sharon Parr, Michael Davoren of Burren IFA and James Moran of IT Sligo.
Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD says: “Our Committee welcomes the opportunity to hear from Dr Dunford on the impact of the Farming for Conservation Programme on the world-renowned Burren region. This is an innovative, results-driven initiative, which has encouraged the 161 participating farmers to enhance this sensitive region through removal of invasive scrub, the provision of water and the repair and maintenance of stone walls.
“Tomorrow’s engagement will inform upcoming Committee meetings in which the use of commonage lands such as the Burren will be considered. Dr Dunford’s presentation is a valuable opportunity for our Committee to explore the potential features of a management framework for commonage lands.”
The meeting will take place tomorrow Tuesday 15 January in Committee Room 3, LH 2000 at 2 p.m.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Membership
Deputies:
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Pat Deering, Fine Gael (Vice-Chair)
Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael (Chair)
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour
Michael McNamara, Labour
Eamon Ó Cuiv, Fianna Fáil
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators:
Michael Comiskey, Fine Gael
Paschal Mooney, Fianna Fáil
Pat O’Neill, Fine Gael
Mary Ann O’Brien, Independent
Brian Ó Domhnaill, Fianna Fáil
Susan O’Keeffe, Labour