Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming in. I congratulate him on his appointment. I have lots of questions, so I might just go one by one if that is okay with the Minister of State and he might be as brief as he can.

First, who was responsible for bringing ash dieback into Ireland? Has there ever been an investigation by the Department? It was found in Leitrim in 2012. I understand it was very close to a Coillte-supported forest. Has there ever been an investigation into the matter? The disease has cost the State millions of euro. It has wiped out nearly 98% of affected trees. It is obviously a major problem. Has the Department ever investigated this issue?