Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the latter question, we will use up the €250 million allocated; therefore, we will reopen the GLAS scheme. Onn the REPS payments to which I alluded in respect of the beef data and genomics scheme, it is a carryover from the previous rural development programme. If the beef data and genomics scheme overruns, we have secured funding under the current programme. If we were to reopen the scheme, it would run to 2021 and the payments would be made from the current envelope. This goes back to my point that the overwhelming objective in the Department is not to leave one brown cent unclaimed under any of the co-funded schemes.

Deputy Martin Kenny raised a number of points about forestry. I, too, represent a rural constituency and have been down this road before. I know the emotion generated at public meetings where neighbouring landowners may wish to expand their holdings, but we must be very careful because an individual landowner has the right to sell his or her land and for every willing seller, there may be a purchaser.

It is interesting to look at the profile of those investing in forestry. I know that there is an inference in the debate on forestry in County Leitrim that it is "outsiders" or those involved in "big business" who are coming in to buy land. In 2014, 96% of the investment made in forestry in the county was made by farmers and 4% by non-farmers. In 2015, 81% of the investment was by farmers and 19% by non-farmers. The Department cannot tell a landowner that he or she is not entitled to plant his or her land. The scheme is open, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. Forestry is a critical component of the infrastructure used by the State in the context of climate change carbon sequestration. As committee members know, the agriculture sector will have to carry its proportionate share to reduce the carbon footprint. It is in that overall context that we have a great story to tell about the commitment made by the farming community generally, but forestry plays a critical part in the reduction of carbon levels.

Forestry generates significant employment, in planting, maintenance, harvesting and the building of forest roadways, as well as in the case of thinnings. Medite has a significant new investment in Belview Port in Waterford.

We are benefiting from the downstream employment opportunity created by forestry. It is displacing imports. That is something we must be cognisant of as well. We have a significant commitment to the industry.