Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is vital for the existing scheme because we know that when there are negative experiences with one round, they can impact future applications coming through. I will not deal with the specifics of this case because it is subject to appeal in the coming weeks but I ask the Minister to urge all officials involved. Auditing is about ensuring there is no fraud. There has been an acknowledgement of that in some cases, this was not fraud but - I use the term very loosely - "negligence" or involved mistakes on the part of the applicants. In one case, we are talking about €45,000, a huge sum of money. Twice that amount was spent but that was what was due to be recouped. They are repaying loans. It is unique in the sense where one spends first and receives one's grant. If one meets that type of difficulty, one is up to one's neck in it. Therefore, I make that appeal to the Minister without delving into it.

Regarding forestry because it is probably the subject we discuss most here, I do not think any of us would have been surprised to see an underspend relating to afforestation because to be kind, the numbers are underwhelming in terms of the targets vis-à-visthe actual outputs. Without going into the intricacies of it, I met some constituents from west Cavan earlier who have an issue with what they see as the over-proliferation of Sitka spruce plantations in their areas. The Minister would have heard similar stories coming from parts of Kerry and Leitrim. This committee is very clear that we need to promote and expand the forestry sector. What is the probability and possibility of ensuring that we have a balanced forestry strategy that works for the economy, the timber industry and the environment but also works for local communities in that it is regionally balanced across the board? I think the next agri-environmental scheme will be pivotal when it comes to doing that and enticing farmers to re-engage with the forestry sector. Does the Minister intend bringing forward any other immediate proposals?