Mr. Teige Ryan:

I have a quick observation first. I am sure the committee has heard and will hear that many problems stem from the EU habitats directive and that is why we are in this mess. Most of the issues that SEEFA has raised today, including timelines, issues for farmers, CAP and ash dieback, have nothing to do with EU influence. They are all policy decisions.

A member of this committee once said at a previous forestry meeting, "It takes a special type of incompetence of the highest order to have a policy that pleases absolutely nobody."

We agree with that, and will leave members with the following questions. Is the management of the forest service capable of ending this omnishambles, which has gone on for a decade? Will it do what is required to prevent further job losses in the sector? Can it reverse the damage done to the confidence of landowners, particularly those suffering from ash dieback? Will it ever be capable of planting 8,000 ha and reaching climate action targets? Does it have the foresight to oversee the development required to mobilise the timber levels that have been forecast? Is it capable of delivering on a new forestry programme from 2023 to 2027, with incentives that will work for practitioners and schemes that will integrate with and work for landowners?

SEEFA knows the answers to those questions, and we are confident the members of this committee do as well. As elected representatives, they have the power and influence to ensure the necessary changes will be made without delay. We ask that they continue in their excellent work, monitor the health of our industry monthly and request an intervention at the top level if required. We thank the committee and leave it with the old saying: "What gets measured gets done".