An Taisce said the decision is 'shocking', and, in response, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon invited them to go out to a derogation farm with him.

Martin Heydon said that he and the government were in “detailed negotiations” with the European Commission around requirements to comply with the habitats directive.

The former RTÉ Midlands Correspondent, Ciaran Mullooly, said their solutions are "lazy" and completely disregard the tourism sector