Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If you go back to the legislation that was passed approximately one year ago on the appeals mechanism, which it might have improved, and if we reintroduce that legislation with minor changes and tweaks, it would make a huge difference. I am conscious other members want to get into it but the price of timber is gone through the roof, in terms of house building, pallet companies and such. It is because we are not issuing the felling licences. There is a significant amount of timber to be felled in Ireland but the amount of imported timber has skyrocketed over the past 12, 18 or 24 months. Mr. Gleeson spoke about the terms of reference the Minister of State put out for the tender of the external regulatory review licensing system. Can he give me confirmation that no Department officials will be involved in the drafting of the terms of the external regulatory review of the forestry licensing process?