Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was impressed by the opening statements from the Department witnesses. My question, however, is whether the actions set out will be carried through. We have a situation in this country at the moment whereby farmers have waited three years to do planting and the Department granted payment, followed by another year of appeal, at which point it was refused. I have no worries at all about the farmers; my worry is in regard to the Department. Do the witnesses believe they can carry their part through and not always be lecturing farmers and the country? The Government has failed in every aspect of climate change and I have no doubt the Department will fail in regard to the woodland schemes and forestry schemes. Let us call a spade a spade. The whole thing is a mess and the question is who will clean it up.