Mr. Donal Magner:

May I mention what happens in County Clare? Clare is in the top three counties with forest cover. A few years ago I did a project with Fr. Harry Bohan in which we looked at forests from Mount Shannon to Feakle. Approximately 20% of the land of County Clare is now under forest cover, yet it is a success story because one of the first forest producer groups was set up in County Clare - there is another one in County Donegal. They have decided that to sell timber to mills very far away from Clare is of questionable value because of the transport costs. They have set up a producer group which is providing the first thinnings, the poor earners, for wood energy in local hospitals and nursing homes. I think one of the county council buildings is generating energy from wood. This is a major incentive.