Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. This is being done in particular to ensure we can maximise the percentage. Each application takes a great deal of work and it makes sense to work on applications that applicants want to proceed with. The Department is double-checking that they intend to continue and want that work done, which makes sense, to ensure then the percentage is as high as possible. The figure for those proceeding to plant is approximately 60% currently. Afforestation licences are valid for three years and planting is to be done in that period. A clear-felling licence is a replanting licence and anyone who clear-fells has an obligation to reforest the cleared plantation within two years. The afforestation licences are for forestry in addition to the existing forestry stock. As the forest is clear-felled, it is replanted within two years and the afforestation then adds to the national stock.