Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their interesting presentations. We are coming from a background years ago where we were very much opposed to forestry in Leitrim. That has softened a bit now, and we see the benefits of it. It does not matter if the figure is 11,500 or 16,000; there are quite a lot jobs involved. We know that many logs are being imported at the moment and the sawed timber is exported again, so that has to be positive for the economy. It is very important that we continue to grow more trees. The freedom should be left with the farmer - the point was made by Mr. Fleming - to plant and to manage the trees, and if he feels that an area of land should be taken out after it is felled, it is important that the decision is left to him and that he is not penalised. Coillte often allows land to go back to nature, leaving it fallow and not replanting it. I am aware of a few cases where that is happening. The most important point is that the farmer should have the freedom to manage it himself.