Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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First, I will deal with the forestry sector. What genius put in the minus €8 million because the less than 3,000 ha, not even at 2,500 ha, is largely attributed to the fall-off in interest by farmers? We know the situation. The Minister referred to 4,300 licences. In fairness, the committee has found it is 4,700 licences. In a statement yesterday, which was like a goading statement, the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, said there is no problem with 2,700 of them. Why are they not issued? It is minus €8 million this year. Where are we going to achieve the targets in forestry? We are 50% down from 2017 to 2020. There seems to be no direction.

The Minister mentioned a court case. I refer to the Department’s website in 2012. In the forestry section, it stated that the National Parks and Wildlife Service wrote to the Department and made it clear that it had to comply with the EU habitats directive. I was not even in politics at the time and I knew about the 15 km buffer zone. We knew about the Natura impact statements, NIS, and that one had to get appropriate assessments. Now, when politicians, including me, have been flagging it for three to four years, this is getting worse by the day. I consider it offensive for a committee that officials and a Minister of State, not the Minister, appeared before it and referred to 1,900 licences. I gave the evidence to them. In fact, I was 700 short as there are now 4,700. What control is there and who is responsible in the Department? Would the Minister be concerned if other information comes forward that at that committee meeting we were told things that ended up being incorrect? Would he be concerned about that Department with regard to forestry and its future?

Second, and this also relates to forestry, is there going to be a re-examination of some of the ground? I remember cutting timber years ago in Glenhest, County Mayo. Now this cannot be planted because the standard of land has allegedly gone up. Those people cannot plant. On biodiversity, and I do not know if this relates to the Minister's Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service, there is talk about a €30 million, nine-year scheme for biodiversity along the Wild Atlantic Way. What Department will do that? I understand it is for nine years and €30 million is currently being suggested. Where does one go after nine years? Can one go in with a digger and pull all the bushes or will one be paid after that? This could be a dangerous thing for farmers to participate in if there is no longevity in the scheme.

With regard to the BPS, I give the Department credit. It is quite good at getting money out to farmers. I have to be honest and say that, and give credit where credit is due. That is also the case with the ANC. However, if there is a satellite inspection or a departmental inspector calls to the farmer, that farmer's grants are held up. One is guilty until proven innocent. We know that the person will be applying next year and in the following years. Why is there not a system whereby a month or six weeks before the payments are made those farmers get their money? There is always a clawback in the following year or the next year. Why is the farmer guilty until proven innocent?

Second, there is a big worry in forestry. After ten to 14 years or in the 15th year, an assessment is carried out. People could get a big bill, as there might be a section but that is multiplied by the number of years. Should there not be a farm charter that states that if the Department has not found an error in the size of the parcels in the first three years, it is tough luck after that? The Department cannot go to somebody after 15 years and tell the person that he or she owes €10,000 or €5,000. There has to be some time limits on such things.

Regarding the new environmental scheme the Minister talked about, many farmers are out of the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, and are finishing the current schemes. The Minister is rolling over some of the schemes. When will they be rolled over and what will the conditions be? Somebody might be in GLAS for five years. If it is being rolled over and the farmer had rivers in one part, but he is out of that land and is moving to another place because the leases are only for a certain time, will he be able to go into the new, rollover scheme, to put it simply?

TAMS has done much good around the country. I hope that it continues, especially for the young farmers. I concur with Deputy Carthy regarding the young students who are not only attending the Teagasc colleges but also attending the education and training boards, ETBs, courses. ETBs such as the one in Westport do great work in delivering courses for young farmers. Is there financial help for them? They are all online now. Will there be financial help for them into the future to continue to encourage youngsters into farming?

With regard to the WFP and the €24.3 million, is that the final payment on that? I realise we brought it forward a little.

How much money does the Minister envisage for the farmers who came out of the AEOS? He says the GLAS farmers will be covered for another year or two. How much money will be made available or how many farmers will be able to enter that scheme? What does he anticipate to be the average income on it and what is the length of the scheme?