Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The findings of the Mackinnon report have not been implemented, or are being partially implemented. This is disturbing because we have heard about it time and again here. The Minister of State's opening statement is before me and she speaks about woodland working groups and how most of the issues identified are being addressed. There is talk that it will take time to train and bed in recruits but how much time and training is needed to bed in somebody to an industry that is falling apart at the seams?

Today we are again hearing that there has been no consultation but every Minister coming before us will try to persuade us, left, right and centre that there is consultation taking place with groups. There is another group before us today telling us there has been no consultation. The entire system must change and in the resolving of any problems, all stakeholders must be involved.

I have a couple of quick questions. The opening statements referred to Coillte and felling licences issued to it rather than private operators. Most recently, it was noted that in one week of April this year, 58 felling licences were issued to Coillte and just 18 were issued to the private sector. I have raised this difference between Coillte and private operators since the matter started being discussed at this committee. I have been given various responses, including one last May when I was told the Department did not want to get into a debate about Coillte versus the private sector. That debate needs to be heard.

In January, the Minister of State told me that in 2021, 1,345 private felling licences were issued and 1,500 were issued to Coillte, highlighting that overall there was no great disparity between Coillte and private operators. The figures were 47% and 53% for private operators and Coillte, respectively. Coillte received a greater number nonetheless. In January this year, when 3,348 felling licences were on hand, only 1,300 were for Coillte but 2,000 were for private operators. There is no doubt that Coillte licences seem to be shoved up to the front of the queue, as I said before. The Minister of State keeps denying that. Will the witnesses give us their view?