The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have outlined major concerns regarding the funding of Ireland’s National Restoration Plan as part of our obligations under the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). This concern has been heightened following the recent announcement by Minister Darragh O Brien, to take funding from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund for the proposed metro link to Dublin airport.
In expressing his reservations around this decision national president of the INHFA Vincent Roddy challenged the numerous public representatives that championed the implementation of the NRL “to now show us where the money to support farmers is going to come from.”
“Through the development of the NRL we saw massive support in Dail Eireann and from many of our MEPs” stated Roddy. “However, when questioned about the funding of the law, (despite a high level of uncertainty) many were adamant that funding would be there, often pointing to the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund as a possible source” added the farm leader.
Unfortunately, as this law continues to be developed we are “looking at a very ambitious plan that will impose massive demands on farmers, but no guarantee on funding, or in simpler terms a Rolls Royce plan with a Lada budget.”
The INHFA leader stated that “If the Government and Minister are going to rob a fund that everyone assumed was to support farmers it is now vital that they show us what funding is available and where it is going to come from. If this can’t be done, then the national restoration plan needs to be put on hold until such time as we know what funding is available.
In 1997 we saw the introduction of land designations. These, the INHFA leader stated “crucified landowners and farmers through unreasonable restrictions that failed not only the farmers but also in the ambition to protect the various habitats. No clear budget was ever put in place to address the burden imposed through these designations and farmers were left to carry the cost.”
This concluded Roddy “must not happen again and we are now calling on the Government and all those that backed the NRL to deliver on your promises and a budget.”