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

Not only am I keeping it in mind, I may be the first person in this position for a long time who invited the people of Save Leitrim to come to talk to me. I met them. I went there. I looked at the situation on the ground. I met landowners on the ground there. I also visited people who are working in the industry there and I take the Deputy's point. However, the most important thing we cannot forget is that if people who own land want to plant trees on it, whether they are individuals or groups, go through the proper applications and processes - there is an appeals system, the forestry appeals committee, FAC, which people use - and finish up with the right to plant timber on it, there is such a thing as people being entitled to do what they want with their land. I appreciate the concerns the Deputy is relaying on behalf of his constituents, but we also have to recognise the freedom of people to use land as they want.