Mr. Colm Hayes:

When it comes to climate, the average sequestration of new hectares is between 2 tonnes and 9 tonnes per year. Obviously, what we plant now will make very little difference in the context of our 2030 climate targets as a result of the time needed to sequester and the fact that under the accounting rules they really kick in afterwards, but I agree with the Deputy's overall thesis. The failure to hit the planting targets obviously has an impact on climate policy overall. It is not good. It is in everybody's interest that every hectare that is licensed is planted and we all need to work together in that regard. Obviously, the Department has a key role to play in issuing more licences. Thankfully, the area for afforestation is 26% up on last year. We hope that it will be much higher by the end of the year. This is all part of the project and the output is to get all that back up onto a stable level and to make sure that targets such as 8,000 ha are realisable.

Overall, we are in a very interesting phase because we are at a key stage in the design of the next CAP and, in parallel, we are designing the next forestry programme. It is clear to all that significant tree planting measures should absolutely be considered as part of the next CAP and the agri-environment schemes, that is, the eco-schemes or the agri-environment climate measures, AECM, schemes. There will be several ways to come at future afforestation targets that should absolutely be considered by all and that could really be to the benefit of farmers as well. The Minister of State, Senator Hackett, previously outlined initiatives around planting on riparian margins-----