Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is the point. The Minister had suggested it is in excess of 1,000 ha. When a number of members pressed him, the Minister stated he was told 1,000 ha were planted in January. The dashboard says there were 66 ha planted in January, which is lower than January of last year.

We need to get clarification. I propose we would seek that urgently from the Department because there is a significant anomaly. I suggest that the sea change the Minister was claiming at that meeting has not happened and there is no evidence those who have the 7,000 ha of licences are moving in as a result of the new scheme at the level that would be required to make up for the fact that no new licences are being accepted at present.