Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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I thank Mr. Cullinan and Ms O'Sullivan for their opening statement and their contributions so far. I welcome Mr. Cullinan's opening statement. It highlights very clearly the Government's ambition, but equally, the disconnect between ambition and policy. As practitioners on the ground, farmers and foresters are best placed to outline where those gaps are and how we might streamline the systems we have. I thank him for that and look forward to engaging with him in the future on this issue.

I will pick up on Deputy Fitzmaurice's point on the habitats directive. That has been in place since 1992 and dictates how we roll out forestry in Ireland. We have to abide by it and there is no change in the habitats directive. I would like to think we can have a flourishing forestry sector and meet the Government's ambition while remaining within the bounds of the habitats directive. With that point in mind, I refer to the Natura impact statements that are required. Mr. Cullinan mentioned that the cost of these is quite prohibitive for many forestry applicants. Will he give me an indication of what that cost might be for a typical site?

The IFA is asking for a cost-based planning support measure to help applicants deal with increased costs associated with felling or afforestation licences. What are the main sources of cost increases? Are they specifically due to requirements in the legislation or are they related to general cost increases in the industry or a lack of qualified personnel?