Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his questions. On state-aid, I explained comprehensively at the briefing for all Oireachtas Members last week that we are engaging daily, as recently as today, with the Commission on preparing our application. I indicated at the Oireachtas meeting last week that it would likely take a month before we could make a formal application. Normally, the Commission takes two to eight months, which is its statutory timeframe, to give an answer. When we did a previous forestry programme the timescale was three months. The idea behind us working hard in getting the application match-fit is to make sure we get an answer as promptly as possible once an application is made. In the meantime, we have the de minimisscheme in place so that afforestation can continue with the full, new premium rates applying.

Senator Boyhan noted the Government is half way through its term in office and asked how we plan to turn the crisis around. We have turned it around. I outlined earlier how we turned around the licensing crises and how, every week, we are now driving down what was a backlog and that we will clear it. We are open for business. Our message to the farmers of this country is to come to us with applications. We are open to them and we want them. Our other message is that we have delivered the largest, most significant new forestry programme ever in the history of the State, which was published in December, that includes premiums 60% higher than they were in many instances before. In addition, the length of time the premiums will be paid to farmers will increase from 15 years to 20 years. We have turned this around and our plan is to drive it on.