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

To follow on from what was said by Senator Mulherin, there is no doubt the witnesses have done much work since we met them last December but I wonder where we would be in that regard were it not for the work of the committee. Coillte has written to 630 farmers, received replies to 5% of those letters, put a new process in place and will have a new commercial statement, all of which is very good news. However, what has it done on the issue in recent years? All members have been approached by farmers from various parts of the country who, unfortunately, had very difficult and sad stories to tell. The witnesses are aware that is why they have been invited back before the committee. We want to get to the bottom of this and, as Senator Mulherin stated, ensure the witnesses do not have to again appear before the committee in a year's time to explain themselves. We want to ensure that when the witnesses come back before the committee in a year or two with Coillte's annual report, it will contain good rather than difficult news. Why was it necessary for the committee to prompt the witnesses to acknowledge the huge communications difficulties and that they had to put new structures in place to alleviate the difficulties that exist?