Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

If it was 2,500 tress per acre, it would have changed a lot since I was planting. How much of that is new ground and how much of it is reforestation of old ground? Coillte is losing 5% under the new regulations because of drains and having to be 20 metres from rivers. How much is affected by the fact that planting is not allowed in special areas of conservation, SACs? How much ground is affected in total?

The Chairman and others have spoken about it so I will nail my colours to the mast. I will not be dancing around it. I have read a few of Coillte's partnership agreements. I have been listening to the witnesses and what they have said to public representatives. The witnesses are aware that around the country there is a massive problem with partnerships and they have met people already. Mr. Murphy met people during the year to discuss it. Is the chairman willing to meet the farm organisations and the people who are having difficulty? There are a lot of them and there is no point in us dancing and smiling at each other. There are a lot of them around the country who have problems with the old partnerships that were signed up to. I have read some of these partnership agreements. There are different partnerships involved. My understanding is that Coillte decides where the timber is being sold. I understand there is also a marketing clause. What percentage is that? The other party has no control over it. My understanding is the person has to insure the crop. That is their problem. Why is that not included in the partnership? The trees are thinned at year 14. I know a bit about forestry. There is plenty of it down my way. Thinning can be done again at year 21. Is that fair to say?