A Leitrim Councillor says there are far too many protected areas of conservation in Ireland.
Independent Councillor Des Guckian says they are also being put in place without sufficient public consultation.
There are currently 18 such protected areas in county Leitrim, there are 87 in Donegal and 34 in Sligo.
They lead to some planning and development restrictions with the aim of trying to protect the natural habitats in these areas.
But Councillor Guckian says landowners and especially farmers are often losing out financially as a result:
