Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There have been a lot of meetings of this Oireachtas committee where we all made many serious contributions on the granting of felling licences. The Minister of State says the situation has improved a bit. It has improved for some but others are having serious difficulty and are waiting a long time to get a licence. Surely there must be a presumption that when forestry is planted, it will be felled at some stage. Should the system not be more proactive? People with plantations should be advised on what they need to do about assessments and not to leave it to the last minute. Could they apply for their licences a few years before they need them?