Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I agree. We kind of laughed when we were told in a recent meeting that the target is 18,000 ha per annum. As it is, we cannot get near the 8,000 ha target. Unless there is a complete change in departmental thinking, we will get nowhere near 18,000 ha. The letter of expectation states that "Coillte has not been involved in planting new productive forests in many years and should ... develop initiatives to support and realise the planting of such forests." Can Mr. Glennon give us his interpretation of that phrase? It appears that it effectively gives Coillte the go-ahead to take measures such as those with Gresham House and so on, despite the Minister telling us that is not the preferred option. In the witnesses' view, is the content of that letter of expectation something of which they would be in favour?