143 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will agree to a continuation of funding for the corncrake preservation programme for one further year pending suitable amendments to the rural environment protection scheme which would facilitate a continuation of the measure. [16412/95]

My position in relation to future funding for the corncrake grants scheme is set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 104 of 17 October 1995.

As I stated in that reply, I am committed to the preservation of the corncrake. I do not intend to abandon the present corncrake grants scheme until such time as I am satisfied that the rural environment protection scheme of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is capable of providing at least the same protection for this endangered species.