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

We have heard a great deal of negative language from farming and agricultural journalists this year which has been a very challenging one for beef. The fact that forestry is the second most productive and profitable farm enterprise after dairying is rarely mentioned. I do not think the witnesses mentioned it and other organisations that have appeared before the committee have not mentioned it. That point has to be made to make forestry more attractive. One point the witnesses missed was Deputy Penrose's question about separating the forestry sector and following the Scottish model of a forestry commission. Do they have any views on that?