Dr. Eugene Hendrick:

Yes. It is important to reiterate a couple of things that Mr. Callanan mentioned to Deputy Fitzmaurice. We have to report all of our data to the EPA and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC. There are very stringent accounting and reporting rules associated with that in terms of what we measure and report. It is important to note that all of the data we provide at international level is peer reviewed by the UNFCCC. Much of our data on the forestry sector is Irish-based. We have conducted a lot of research over the past ten to 15 years that was funded by various national programmes. Therefore, we can better determine the growth rate of forests and the level of take-up in respect of biomass and different components. All of the data is published and peer reviewed. In order for the data to be accepted it has to be published in a peer reviewed and scientific journal.

In terms of blockages to afforestation, certain referrals must be made in terms of potential habitat areas, fisheries, etc. That is the statutory obligation of the Forestry Service and we refer those to other agencies, which is all done as efficiently as possible. There are no county-based targets. Basically, it is a national policy. Every eligible landowner has an opportunity, if he or she wishes, to engage in afforestation.