Ms Imelda Hurley:

As somebody who has joined the sector in recent years, the sector has enormous relevance to Ireland's future for all the reasons we have already articulated in our opening statement. It is important to promote forestry in whatever way is considered most appropriate. People need to better understand the forestry sector. There is not a culture of forestry in this country. I am a dairy farmer's daughter and so I know that forestry needs to become more - I will say it - actually acceptable in many instances. Forestry is important in delivering wood and decarbonising the built environment. There are so many different aspects that need to be delivered. The key is that each area is focused on and each area is delivered on.

One of the key areas that needs focus and delivery, ideally in the near term, relates to the changes to provide for building with wood. We very much welcome the suggestion of a working group to include the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and Agriculture, Food and Marine. Having identified the critical need for such a strategy for Ireland, setting up this working group is a great example of what is needed to promote that. It is a good example of needing to promote, identifying the strategy and then figuring out the structure. I invite Mr. Carlin to add to that if he wishes.