Mr. Mark Carlin:

We do and will probably continue to need to import some niche products we cannot be self-sufficient in. When we say we are an exporter, we are a net exporter, which means we export more than we import. We should strive for self-sufficiency. There is enough supply from the trees that are in the ground and growing, in addition to the potential to bring in timber that has been exported and use it in Ireland. I still agree with the Vice Chairman that our future forests must have wood-producing capability. That is part of our strategy. Of our new forests, some 100,000 ha, or 50%, will be primarily for wood production. That is critical going forward because there are areas of our estate that were originally grown for wood and now need a redesign in emphasis.

The key point from a climate perspective is that we need to build more with wood. There are significant advantages to that. Timber houses are two and a half to three times more efficient. They are also faster to build, require less labour and generate less waste. There are significant advantages to building with wood. Some things we need to do to realise that include the right regulations, which do not limit building with wood; demonstration buildings built from engineered wood products or timber frame; and green public procurement to make sure we are meeting the potential to use wood more in the built environment. We must be cognisant of supply going forward but we must take the opportunity now as regards using more wood.