Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the blanket ban on afforestation on designated land - hen harrier land and so on - some environmentalists argue that different stages of afforestation can create proper habitats for the species that the designations are designed to protect. I am not saying that we could plant 100% of designated land in the morning, but a percentage of that land could be planted over a period of five, 15 or 20 years. This would make a vast acreage of suitable land available for afforestation. Has any research been done into whether various stages and percentages of afforestation growth could enhance rather than hinder habitats?