Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Breathnach for his presentation. We have had a number of presentations about the Bill. Along with my team, I will study all of them and examine the proposed legislation. Where we believe we can improve it, we will table amendments. The witnesses' points are of help in formulating how to address this. The witnesses suggest providing that the Minister shall set and review annual planting targets until such time as the critical mass of sustainable roundwood timber supply is achieved. I fully agree with the point. We must have targets and they must be in a legislative framework so that people comply with them. The Minister should review them so that they are met. The other aspect concerns the management plans for felling licences. The witnesses make the point that a management plan is best practice and the society supports the production of such plans. There is merit in what the witnesses say and I look at it positively.

The witnesses and Deputy Ó Cuív referred to deadlines of 28 days in a 12 week period. That should be applicable from the Minister's side as well as from the side of the person involved in forestry.

I assume that the changes in the grant and premium payments have been brought to the attention of every Deputy. It undermines confidence in the sector. People need certainty, part of which is ensuring an income.

I concur with the enforcement side of it. In the past the enforcement was like a criminal investigation, as the witness said. That is the wrong way to go about it. Inspections are necessary but they should be done in consultation with the forestry owner. Being heavy handed sends the wrong message. I will take all the witnesses’ suggestions on board, along with other suggestions and ideas put forward in earlier presentations, and bring them to the team that works with me to see what amendments we need to table. We need to get this right. I thank the society for its presentation. We will give it our full attention.