Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We must conclude as we have reached the two-hour mark. I sincerely thank Mr. Colm Hayes, Mr. Seamus Dunne and Ms Patricia Kelly. The vigorous questioning by the committee stems from members' concern for the forestry sector. We need to start meeting our targets for afforestation, thinning and clear-felling if we are to have a healthy industry.

The committee will prepare a report with recommendations, hopefully in the near future. It is, however, difficult to compile reports during the Covid pandemic. We will have a private meeting in the next week or so to try to progress that.

This committee will not go away. We will continue our serious scrutiny of the performance of the forestry section in the Department. I hope we will see a marked improvement in order that the forestry sector can move forward with confidence.

I thank all participants for what has been an intense exchange of views between members and the officials.