Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I concur that it is difficult to take at face value commitments that we receive from the Department about corners being turned. We have turned so many corners as regards forestry that we are back where we started.

I thank the representatives from the Department for participating in this meeting. As we heard from the Minister's contribution in the Dáil last week and from today's opening statement, felling licences have increased by 32% on the same time last year and the area licensed for afforestation has increased by 26%. Is it not true, however, that these figures reflect an admittedly good January and an improved February but a disastrous March, April and May? In March, the area licensed for felling decreased from 1,462 ha to 1,059 ha. In April, it fell from 1,437 ha to 950 ha. In May, it fell from 1,332 ha to 1,080 ha according to the most recent dashboard figures. Why are the figures for the full months of March and April so bad? Where does the fault lie?

The issue of the appropriate screening area was mentioned. My understanding is that the threshold has increased from 3 km to 15 km. It would be useful if the Department explained the rationale for that and why the appropriate resources and preparations were not put in place before it happened.

The afforestation licence numbers are worrying. The Government has indicated its ambition to deliver 8,000 ha per year. Last year, licences were awarded in respect of 4,342 ha, but the actual area planted only came to 2,488 ha, which is pathetic in light of the ambition-----