Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her statement and for appearing before the committee. I would like to thank her for all she has done in recent months. Knowing her, I can say that nobody is more passionate about resolving the crisis in forestry.

As a forester, the Minister of State is passionate about the sector. As an environmentalist, she is also passionate about setting policy that will chart a better way forward. That should be acknowledged.

The Minister of State referred to future policy in this area. She should have an opportunity to elaborate on that. She mentioned the national forestry programme. Will she inform members of her thoughts on that as that would be beneficial for the committee?

On research available to the Department, up to this point research has generally been directed at maximising output and increment, which has been for very good reasons, but we are in the midst of a climate and biodiversity crisis. Research should be focused in that direction. Does the Minister of State have the necessary resources in her Department or does she intend putting the resources in place to ensure we have the right research in order that we can set policy in the right direction?