Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The 1,600 ha has all been compensated. It is the remainder that is outstanding. There are some 15,000 ha remaining. When we see a very small area affected or a small number of trees affected we may not actually go in anymore because of the change of outlook from it being an eradication to a containment programme. It was designed around being an eradication programme but it is accepted that this cannot be achieved. A scheme that is user friendly does not necessarily have to be complete eradication. On the saplings that come in now I am aware that the main nursery in Ireland has enough plants for an 8,000 ha programme next year. There will be some species of trees that will be imported but there is due diligence at points of import. I launched the "Don't Risk It" campaign that covers horticulture and trees and one can see those signs at airports. This is one of the campaigns we actually run. The phytosanitary division monitors all imports and is mindful of the bark beetle that affects the bark of the logs as opposed to plants and is imported.