Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator O'Brien I am not an expert in this matter but I am taking on board all the views we have heard over the past few weeks. What consultation has the Society of Irish Foresters had on the Bill with any of the stakeholders or the Minister? Are we in Cloud Cuckoo Land when we talk about increasing planting by 18%? Does that conflict with Food Harvest 2020 under which there are plans to increase milk, beef and tillage production? How will we be able to increase planting when land availability becomes a problem? It will become more and more scarce because dairy or tillage will be seen to be more fashionable than forestry. How can farmers be encouraged to make their land available for forestry as opposed to tillage or other enterprise?