Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have discussed this on many occasions. There have been significant challenges in respect of the forestry programme, especially around the issuing of licences from the Department. This emanated from a change in the level of ecological input required in licences compared with before. This led to a significant logjam last year. It became acute at the end of the year and is still acute although it is being addressed bit by bit. We introduced emergency legislation at the end of the year. All Deputies co-operated to facilitate this move to try to streamline the system and deal with the significant backlog before the forestry appeals committee. We provided for the division of the forestry appeals committee into several subcommittees as opposed to having to meet in plenary. That has resulted in significant progress on the appeals side. The forestry appeals committee is now on course to have the backlog dealt with and cleared by June this year. There is significant progress there. We have also seen a significant drop-off in the number of appeals coming in following streamlining of the process. There has been a significant increase in staffing. We have gone from a situation where there was one ecologist to now having 20 full-time equivalents.

There has been also a significant initiative by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Hackett, in the past three or four weeks ago in respect of project woodland. This has involved putting in place new work streams to try to streamline how the administration of licences is managed within the Department. There are significant challenges. The Minister of State, Senator Hackett, and I are working in every way we can to try to make progress. We want to see the number of licences increased over the course of this year and we are working hard to ensure that happens. The target is to see 4,500 licences issued by the end of the year. We are determined that this will be the case. We will continue to work closely to try to improve what has been a difficult situation. It has led to immense challenges for the sector, especially for those working in the sector, including those in sawmills and contractors and foresters. We want to resolve and address this. We will keep pushing this in every way we can to try to resolve the situation facing us.

The programme for Government target is to achieve 8,000 ha per annum. There is no doubt that will be a significant challenge this year. Last year's effort came nowhere near close to it. Yet, it is the objective. We are looking to set up a structure within the Department in terms of licences and supports in place to try to encourage greater afforestation. It has been a challenging story during the past year and we are still trying to work out and address it. I am very much aware it has caused immense strain and difficultly for those working in the sector. It is not acceptable and has to be sorted out.