Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to forest roads, almost 120 km of new roads were licensed in 2020, but the requirement is 300 road licences every year. In addition, the backlog is approximately 300 at present. We are told by Coillte that this is the biggest issue it is facing to liberate timber that will have licences in 2021. Since putting additional resources in place, the FAC has held 61 hearings and 42 hearings were scheduled for December, but the requirement is 40-plus appeals to be dealt with each week, not the 20 or so being done at present. Will this increase in future?

Will the departmental officials admit there are ordinary people - farmers, forest owners and wood processors - who have heavily invested all over the country and who are being let down by the system? These people cannot fell their crop and cannot plant trees. Can they give them any reassurance about their needs and does it concur with Senator Paul Daly's suggestion of an amnesty, which is very important?