Mr. Colm Hayes:

I am the most senior official in the Department that deals with responsibility for forestry so I am happy for the buck to stop with me. I am equally upfront that we are not meeting that particular project plan of the private licences. However, in terms of overall targets for felling we have issued licences for 2.8 million cu. m since last October. People have to view the disappointing output on the project plan relative to the overall substantial improvement since last October. We have had an excellent January or what is looking to be a good January across most categories - afforestation could be better for sure. Now, we need a good February followed by a good March, because we have had a good October followed by a good November followed by a good December. We hold our hands up on the private category. As I said, no effort is being spared to get it right.