264 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proportion of Irish farming land which has been taken out of production in view of the setaside scheme; the amount being paid annually to support the measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3011/97]

Setaside land in 1996 represented less than 0.1 per cent of Irish farming land. Some £7.98 million was spent in relation to this land.