Mr. Colm Hayes:

We must remember that if we looked at the dashboard this time last year in all likelihood we would have seen licences that were going to be felled this year. In some respects this is a retrospective exercise. We have to look back at licences issued two or three years ago if we want a true picture of the likelihood of a site being harvested in a calendar year. It is not unusual. In all likelihood, people applying for felling licences are applying earlier and earlier because of the perception that it takes longer and longer to get one. With regard to private licences, it is a matter for any licenceholder as to when he or she brings the timber to market. That is a question for themselves based on the price and other relevant factors personal to them. I will write to the Senator on the private licences.