Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will move on now to the bark beetle. I am no expert on all the different types of beetles. I understand one beetle was found on sawn timber that was imported into the UK. My understanding is that there has been a Sitka spruce beetle in parts of the UK for years. The witnesses will correct me if I am wrong but I understand there is a section of Scotland from which Ireland buys its timber where there are biosecurity measures to monitor any dangers in that way. Is that correct? I am asking these questions in order that we have the answers when we raise the issues with the Department.

The witnesses referred to a temporary suspension. At the moment, with the timber coming from Scotland and what be have in the country, we will, fortunately, be able to get rid of it all. If we suspend something, will there be job losses in the processing industry in different places in Ireland? My understanding from calls I have had, which I am sure others have received, is that one of our plants might close down. The witnesses will correct me if I am wrong on this. This is coming from the people who import some of the timber. Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are all one in their forestry programme. I agree 100% with Mr. Gorman that we need a 32-county system. If trees are planted near Pettigo, for example, it is surely likely that the bark beetle will fly into Donegal. Is it very hard to control this? Is there are any sort of spray for them? My understanding is that good, hard weather like we are getting now might kill them off altogether. We are having that weather here and in the UK at the moment. I would like to hear the thoughts of the witnesses on those points.