Mr. Francie Gorman:

I first thank the Senator for his kind comments. We look forward to working with the committee on this issue and all issues.

In terms of the temporary suspension, if we do not have a temporary suspension and if the bark beetle comes in here, the cost to the industry will far outweigh any cost that will accrue because of a temporary suspension. If we have a temporary suspension where we can put the review in place, and if we do it quickly enough, there will be enough of a timber supply in the country to keep the construction industry going. The idea, therefore, is that there will be a temporary suspension and the review will be put in place. Instead of it being a talking shop, it would report in a timely, rapid fashion. What we want from that is to see our biosecurity measures being completely reviewed. It is on the record of the Dáil that consignments of timber are coming into the country that are not checked. That is unacceptable. That poses a huge risk to our forestry sector. If we get that temporary suspension in place, if we get the review in place and if it reports quickly enough, it should have a minimal impact on the supply and availability of timber for the construction industry.

In terms of the Senator's question regarding supporting a forestry authority, it is already on the record that we support that call. Therefore, we are at one on that issue. We know that things move slowly in forestry, but they need to move a little faster. Certainly, we need for the review to be put in place immediately after a temporary suspension. That needs to happen in a rapid fashion. That is the ask, and I know it is a challenge, but it is a challenge that we cannot shirk. We need to get answers on this immediately. The Senator said it himself already. He has seen the devastating consequences of it in Britain and Europe.

There is also an issue with EU plant law. Under EU plant law, the issue cannot be addressed until the bark beetle is discovered here, at which point it will be too late. That is an issue that needs to be addressed as well. Legislation at a European level may need to be addressed to allow us to deal with the bark beetle in a more proactive fashion. That is an ask of ours as well.

In terms of replanting, we know what the replanting requirements are for farmers. I know personally from friends of mine who have ash forestry that it is quite severe. When they have no income coming in but they are supposed to replant, and this is through no fault of their own, it is a huge thing to ask people to put their hands in their pockets and replant their forests for that reason. That is why we are highlighting this issue at this stage, so we will not get to a stage where forestry is devastated and farmers will be required to replant. There will be huge economic consequences across the board, even for the commercial instalments as well, if this gets in and if spruce forests are devastated. Mr. Fleming or Ms O'Sullivan may want to come in on that issue.