Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this Bill, which has been long awaited. I understand this is the first time the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, has brought a Bill through the House. I wish him well. It is a good Bill to start with given its goal is the development of a modern forestry sector which reflects good forestry practices and protects the environment. At long last, we are starting to concentrate in this country on the things we do best and are part of our natural resources. In this regard, I welcome the tourism initiative of The Gathering which it is estimated resulted in an additional 250,000 people coming to Ireland this year.

Statistics released yesterday by the Central Statistics Office indicate a significant increase in the past two years in the number of people in primary production in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. We are back to basics. In the most recent two Budget Statements reference was made in the first and second paragraphs to agriculture and the agri-sector. The forestry sector is a hugely important part of who we are. As stated by others, Coillte owns 7% of the land mass here and almost 300,000 hectares are currently in private ownership. Thanks to the afforestation programme, this is increasing by 7,000 to 7,500 hectares per annum year on year. As this is a growing sector, it is only fitting that it would have legislation to reflect its current importance to the economy and environment and, in particular, rural communities.

A forest has many attributes and provides many assets for communities, including raw material for the timber processing sector. Coillte and the private processors have turned an industry previously 80% domestic based during the building boom years into a 20% domestic based industry, with 80% of all processed wood product now being exported. This took some effort and a lot of product development. The Department forest service and Coillte have an important role to play in the development with the private sector of new technology in this area.

I welcome the reversal of the decision to sell the harvest rights of Coillte. I note consideration is currently being given to a merger of Coillte with Bord na Móna. I urge that this be proceeded with cautiously and that all of the implications of a full or part merger be considered. I welcomed the Minister's statement some weeks ago that he proposed to engage with the stakeholders in regard to the Forestry Bill. It is important there is engagement with these stakeholders in respect of any proposed merger. If it goes ahead, it must be in the best interests of land use. Between them, Coillte and Bord na Móna own approximately 12% of total land in this country. This land is publicly owned and has a myriad of potential in terms of timber production, biofuel production, recreational use, carbon sink and so on. It is important all these factors, in terms of what is the best fit for the two entities, are taken into account. I would have preferred if that had been developed further at this stage. However, these things take time.

Perhaps the Minister of State will clarify when replying that this Bill has implications for forestry, in particular replanting and felling, in the public and private sector. There appears to be some doubt in this regard. I come from Wicklow, where more than 20% of the land is covered by forestry. It is the most afforested county in the country. The first forestry school was established at the home of Charles Stewart Parnell in 1903. My son is currently doing a degree in forestry. While forestry education is now mainstreamed in our universities, there is still a role for forest bases such as Avondale in the practical training of undergraduates. The practical experience gained by young students in working with foresters and forestry technicians, which students we need to develop this industry into the future, is invaluable. I have seen this work first-hand.

There are a couple of other issues that might be considered as part of this Bill, perhaps by way of amendment on Committee Stage. One such issue is that of fires and upland vegetation, in particular in Wicklow where the burning control regulations are stricter than in Northern Ireland and Scotland. This is leading to a greater risk of sporadic fire outbreaks. The topography of the land in Wicklow is such that Coillte and private operators often touch on national parks where these restrictive burning practices are currently in place. This does nothing for the vegetation, other than allow it to get to the stage whereby it is neither suitable for grazing, hill walking or proper fire containment.

Another issue is the definition of unenclosed land for the purposes of grant aid. I am not sure whether the forestry division of the Department has already looked at this. The definition of unenclosed land is too restrictive and grants in respect of this land are not good. I believe that land that is eminently suitable for plantation is being ruled out because it is too expensive to plant and because unenclosed land has a lower grant aid rate.

I agree with Deputy Naughten's remarks in regard to bio-diversity and the value of forests. We do not always calculate how important the trees and woodland are from a bio-diversity point of view. There are also a carbon sink. During the last Dáil I was rapporteur for the climate change and energy security and agriculture committees on research on the use of forestry as a carbon sink in meeting our climate change targets. There is no doubt that of the order of 80% of all the carbons sequestered over the lifetime of a forest plantation could be used as a saving with the other 20% being used in the establishment of harvesting. This is an important issue that should be considered in the context of our meeting our obligations. We are in the irreconcilable position of having to drive Food Harvest 2020 output targets at the same time as trying to meet our climate change obligations. Unless we make the case that we be allowed to meet those targets by counting every use of land, we face the imposition of a fine from Europe. It is important we make that case.

I am sure the Minister of State would not expect me to end my contribution without reference to deer. In this regard, I would like to raise two issues will reference in a minute an article in the media yesterday.

I hope to plant more land and was not surprised to be told it would have to be fenced for deer. There has been a difficulty in obtaining approval for plantations in Wicklow because of the numbers of deer. Non-native invasive species such as the Sitka deer have become a scourge, as both private owners and Coillte will confirm. Part of the reason is that upland vegetation is not conducive to grazing. In addition, hybrid vigour has increased the population significantly. We need a management plan that will bring such species to sustainable levels.

It is important that we have a measured debate in the context of a broad-ranging review of these issues. I look forward to the Minister of State bringing the Bill to committee where we will have an opportunity for the finer tuning that is required. I commend the Government on its efforts thus far to open the issue up to further consultation.

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