Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have received representations from a man who has applied for a reconstitution licence. He had previously received a felling licence. He applied for his replanting licence in February. I made representations on his behalf and seven months later, on 18 August, the answer I received was that the current estimate was that it would take at least nine months. I was asked to note that the timeframe was indicative only and that it may take longer than nine months to complete the appropriate assessment, AA, process. I was told that at that stage it was not possible to provide a definitive timeframe. The point I want to make in the question I am asking is that this is a reconstitution licence. This man previously applied for and received a felling licence. He signed a contract 30 odd years ago whereby he is duty-bound to replant the land. Unlike Deputy Fitzmaurice's friend, he cannot go out and plough and sow a crop during what is now looking like a two-year gap. The Department is making him wait to replant what he is obliged to replant by contract with the Department. He is out of pocket. He has no source of income from the land as he cannot plough it or graze it. He has a contract that he will be breaching if he does not replant. He previously had a planting licence. He is replacing forestry with forestry and trees with trees. He will be in limbo for at least two years.

How many similar applications for reconstitution are sitting in the system? Is there a case for an amnesty for reconstitution licences? Only two years ago, the man got a felling licence. What has changed in the geography of the area, the lie of the land or replacing trees with trees that this man could be told he will be waiting a minimum of 16 months and that is not definitive? What he is doing is keeping to a contract he has with the Department that was signed many years ago. He would prefer not to replant but he has no choice. He is being left in limbo for two years. Will the witnesses answer this and tell me why there could not be an amnesty for such applications? How many applications have been made for reconstitution planting?