Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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I thank Mr. Walsh for his presentation which was concise and straightforward. Coming from County Donegal, I do not know a great deal about how ash dieback is affecting forest owners in counties Limerick and Tipperary. Unfortunately, we do not have much need for hurleys in my county. It is disappointing that the forest service has not responded to the submission made by Limerick and Tipperary Woodland Owners. That is something the committee should take up because it is the very least the group should expect. The reply might not be what we want to hear, but, even so, we could work from there and look to deal with the issues involved.

What Mr. Walsh is talking about makes perfect sense to me. We must do what we can to ensure he receives the reply.

On the proposal to allow some forest owners keep their forests and try to build an immunity crop or whatever, how feasible is that? It seems to make perfect sense and is the way we should be heading. They would have to be rewarded for that because it would be providing a greater service to the wider community. It is a proposal that should be considered.