Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I thank the Chair for the opportunity to speak on this Bill and wish the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, all the best on the passage through the House of his first Bill in his new portfolio.

As a people, we can take trees for granted and perhaps Members remember the poem by Joyce Kilmer from their school days that states:

I think I will never see

A poem as lovely as a tree.

This is true and highly apt for this debate. There of course is another side in respect of trees and forestry, which is that they are a valuable asset to us as a people. As a member of the Labour Party and a Government Member, I am glad that forestry has been held within the ownership of the country and for its people. As an industry, Irish forestry is estimated to be worth more than €673 million to the economy and in 2010, it is estimated that the industry employed 12,000 people throughout Ireland.

Forestry is extremely important in my native county of Waterford and at present, Coillte manages forests in Dungarvan, Kilmacthomas, Portlaw, Melleray, the beautiful Vee, Ballyduff, Knockanore and in Tramore, where I grew up. A total of 300 people are employed directly in forestry in the south-east area between the Port of Waterford and in Clonmel. A further 500 people are estimated to be employed indirectly by activities in these two sites alone between haulage, harvesting and logistics. Given my knowledge of employment and access thereto in Waterford and the south east, these are important statistics for my constituency and those who live and work there.

I recently visited SmartPly, a factory based in the Port of Waterford, which makes an alternative to plywood with which it is easy to work. It uses the trees from across the south east, which are brought to Waterford and used in the production process. I understand that SmartPly has sought and hopes to attract significant investment to further its future, thereby enhancing further people's employability and ensuring it is a sustainable business in Waterford and the south east. It is vital that companies such as SmartPly have a reliable and sustainable supply of good quality wood to ensure their future and I for one am glad this debate is being held and that the legislation before Members will do just that.

This is the reason that providing the requisite updating to legislation in respect of managing forestry and the plants it has produced are to be welcomed. As this Bill proposes to update legislation, will promote good practice and will protect and develop the forestry industry, it is to be hoped that no other arm of Government will try to do anything that would put forestry in harm's way through the erection of pylons across some of the most beautiful forestry - in particular across the Comeragh Mountains - to which I would object most vigorously.

Yesterday, the IFA held a conference in Athlone focusing on forestry and the message from it was that farmers in County Waterford and throughout Ireland must have the confidence in the sector they require to convert their land to forestry. I hope this Bill will assist in that and will go some way towards giving them such assurances. Only 11% of the country is under forest, whereas the national strategic target for forestry is to increase that coverage to approximately 17%. Therefore, it is clear we have some way to go in this regard. The various interest groups call for continued Government investment in the area, which I support.

The Bill also pertains to a matter that is in focus, namely, the environment. It is vital to protect both the trees and the wildlife that depends on them. At present, for example, there is a concern regarding the threat from ash dieback, which is of particular interest to County Waterford and its hurlers. Vigilance is required to make sure it does not take hold here and I acknowledge this is a matter of concern to everyone present, because it is an important sector for the economy. While I welcome the updates contained in this legislation, I must also stress it is important that the forests remain accessible to citizens. I recently encountered a situation in the Passage East area of County Waterford in which local residents were extremely concerned about the possibility of losing a right of way through Coillte's forestry. While the issue was resolved, the matter brought into focus for me how valued and important are local areas and local woodlands to citizens. They are important for recreation, for health and for communities and Members must keep a focus on this point. Although forestry is an important strategic and economic resource, trees have tourism value and woods have a recreational value. In this context, Members must welcome the decision to which I referred earlier not to sell Coillte. As a Labour Party Deputy, I welcome this move and commend the Minister, Deputy Howlin, on his work in this area. I again thank the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, for the opportunity to speak on this Bill and wish him well as it passes through the House.

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