Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

These are simple questions. They are not loaded. There is nothing too rhetorical about my approach. I am looking for light more than heat. I have looked at the grant rates for establishment under this new forestry plan. I assume Coillte will have looked at all of this and kicked the tyres on the premiums for the farmer or landowner and will have looked at the establishment grants. Under FT6, it is proposed that the current grant is €5,620 per ha. The proposed grant per ha for broadleaf, mainly oak, is €6,744. I am only taking FT6. We know there is FT1 to FT12.

Let us keep that figure in mind. For broadleaf, mainly oak, the premium is €6,744.

Mr. Carlin will be familiar with the Auxilia Group and its report. I think we all accept Professor Cathal O'Donoghue's bona fides. The professor is renowned and well established. I am sure Mr. Carlin has had access to this Auxilia Group report. I accept Professor O'Donoghue's bone fides anyway. I hope Coillte does as well. In Professor O'Donoghue's report, on page 37, there is a table entitled "Estimating total Establishment Costs by Species in 2023". Professor O'Donoghue states, for broadleaf hard, the total cost will be €10,551. Remember we have €6,744 of a grant, excluding the fencing, and this report is saying-----