Mr. Brendan Gleeson:

No. We are aware of what other EU members states are doing. We are acting on the basis of our best judgment as to what the habitats directive and the general legal framework requires. That is all one can really do. It is true to say there a number of differences between Ireland and other member states. We have a very large number of applications for small plantations. I think this is done on a much bigger scale in many member states. We also have a contested sector. We went through a period where nearly every application for a Coillte felling licence was being appealed to the forestry appeals committee. I am certain there are lessons to be learned from other member states but I cannot guarantee members the independent assessor will look at the system in Germany or Finland and say it is all consistent with case law in Ireland and with the judgments from the forestry appeals committee. These things are complicated. If it was simple, if we could, for example, divest ourselves of the licencing system as some people are recommending, then I can assure members that if they think I am ideologically wedded to the idea we are the licencing authority or that we must issue licences, I am not. One can only act on the basis of one's own best judgments as to what is consistent with the law and if we did not do that we would be landing applicants in bigger trouble in the medium term, let alone the long term. There is no simple answer but we will see what comes out of this review. We will certainly be open to advice we get.