Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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To return to the question on the 8,000 ha, the situation has always been that anything over 0.1 of a hectare is calculable for sequestration, etc. and is counted as forestry. The same applies in this case and that will be countable towards it.

In terms of the 8,000 ha target, in the first instance the forestry programme and, indeed, the European regulations require at least 30% of that must be native trees. The provision does not seek to undermine the 8,000 ha target. We will strive to achieve and surpass the target. This is something that can contribute and make a positive contribution in terms of biodiversity, forestry and sequestration. It is something that can allow many farmers to play a role in making forestry more of the farming enterprise and personality of an individual farm, and become more integrated. The provision is a very useful and productive measure.

The point that the Deputy made about 20 m speaks against the first point that he made about 8,000 ha. I mean his point that by virtue of the fact that it is less than 20 m then it may not be countable towards the 8,000 ha. The idea behind the continuous line of up to 20 m is to facilitate riparian zones along waterways.