Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I do not agree with the Deputy. She is simply wrong on the forestry side. We have an ambitious forestry programme. We will be growing more trees. We are suggesting that we sell off some of the crop. Trees will grow again and the idea is that one harvests trees and sells them but one keeps the land. The suggestion is like suggesting to a farmer that he should not sell the crop.

Deputy Daly referred to downsizing and losing jobs at Aer Lingus. Every airline has lost jobs during the past decade. I do not imagine the Deputy is suggesting we should hold on to State companies as employment agencies to keep non-commercial numbers. The company must operate in the commercial reality.

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