Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, the very best with the forestry portfolio. It is a very important role to have and I know there is a considerable amount of forestry in his constituency, as there is in mine. It is an area of much interest to him and he will do exceptionally well in the Department. I also acknowledge and remember our late colleague, Shane McEntee, the former Minister of State, who had a deep commitment to Irish forestry. I have no doubt that the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, will carry on the work of our late colleague, Mr. McEntee.

Forestry is a great natural resource with 40% of the land covered with forestry. I welcome that 46% of that is privately owned because we should encourage as many forestry growers as possible. I acknowledge the Government's continued support for forestry schemes, which have not been cut in recent budgets despite the financial and economic pressure. I recognise the roles of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, in protecting the forestry schemes for farmers and the many others who are involved in the private sector. This support shows the long-term commitment of farmers who set aside land to plant forestry and ensure it grows to maximise its full potential. This is a very labour-intensive industry. I am told that 16,000 are employed in the sector not only in the protection and growing of forests, but also in the related production sector such as the sawmills and other production plants.

Forestry is a wonderful natural and renewable resource that will contribute to us reaching our climate-change targets. The role of forestry cannot be underestimated in this regard. Most important are the income and revenue streams that forestry brings to the country. The Bill will provide a modernised regulatory framework to manage all the forestry related activities. As we have been operating under 1946 legislation up to now, the Bill is welcome and timely. It will streamline the whole felling and licensing area of forestry management, and will provide powers to the authorised officials who deal with any illegal activity that might threaten our forestry.

I acknowledge the role Coillte has played and continues to play in growing, protecting and maintaining our forestry and the lands under forestry. It plays an important role in commercial harvesting, protecting our environment and the new growing areas of amenity and recreation, which could be exploited even further by Coillte and private forests with the growing recreational activities such as orienteering, mountain biking and leisure walking. It is important that all those areas are open. One of the oldest oak forests is privately owned in the Curraghmore estate in Portlaw, County Waterford. That fabulous old oak forest has been preserved over many generations.

The export of timber and timber products, such as wood-based panels, sawn timber, pulp and paper, is valued at approximately €280 million. Medite in south Tipperary and SmartPly in Waterford Port are two subsidiaries of Coillte which employ almost 900 people between direct and indirect jobs. It is important that the Government continues to support these plants. There are 146 jobs in Medite and 160 in SmartPly. When all the associated growers and services are included, it is an incredibly important industry for the south east.

SmartPly needs to upgrade its plant and machinery. It is exporting versatile board for structural use to the UK, Norway, Germany and Russia. I know it has sought Government permission to renew its plant and machinery at an estimated cost of €60 million. While this is a very large investment, it would be worthwhile primarily because of the jobs. In addition, it is producing innovative wood products that will increase our export revenues and help us in our recovery. I understand the Government is recommending this investment, which I welcome. I have been involved with the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, the Minister, Deputy Hogan, and our colleagues in the south east. We saw at first hand the good work done in the SmartPly plant in Waterford Port. I welcome the investment, which will protect the existing jobs. It secures the future of the plant and will create new job opportunities as these new innovative wood products are exported throughout the world. I hope this investment can get under way as soon as possible. I understand it is conditional on some restructuring within Coillte. I know Coillte and SmartPly will meet those challenges.

It is essential the forestry management and associated assets of our country are sweated to the maximum of their potential. We need to maximise production and utilise the sector to create employment opportunities and bring in revenue through exports. I support the Bill and wish the Minister of State well with it.

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