Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

Again, this is a question of balance. The spirit of the amendment and the theme of my amendments is Ireland's underperformance in developing its natural potential for forestry in general, afforestation using native species and the creation of biodiversity. It is a tragedy that we have performed so badly when our conditions are so well suited to forestry. Our forests are a significant attraction and one of the reasons people love our landscape and countryside. We are failing absolutely to utilise our potential in this area. This amendment proposes that we encourage the natural development of native forests from scrub and seek out the means to do that. It is not about targeting farmers negatively but alerting them to a major untapped potential that has not been recognised. This could be good for the farmers, for the country and for the environment.

I do not understand the reason the Minister of State has a problem with this amendment.