Mr. Brendan Lacey:

Deputy Martin Ferris asked whether we had raised the issue of compensation. We have raised the matter several times with the Minister and the Department, but there has not been a positive response. The argument made to us is that this issue could have implications for Exchequer resources. If someone has made a commitment to grow forest crop, it would be seriously wrong to prevent that person from felling it at the end of a period of 30 or 40 years.