Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. It is sad to see that 95% of our ash trees are dying around the country. We see it ourselves, especially in Tipperary. I guarantee Deputy Fitzmaurice that we still have enough to win another couple of all-Irelands with what we have left.

It is crazy that the pioneers that did it 25 years ago are not being allowed to participate in the new scheme. They are the kind of people who have the expertise and knowledge needed to solve this.

Will the witnesses describe the process of clearing a failed plantation, the impact it would have on the land and how much work is involved in clearing it properly, to get rid of the roots and everything? What happens when a plantation is clearly failing and it is not felled on time? What is the impact on the surrounding areas? The witnesses have called for the option, as Senator Boyhan raised here, to return the land to pasture.

I think it was Mr. White who said it was not allowed. Why not? I will leave it at those three questions.