Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I take the Deputy's point. The capacity to plant up to 1 ha covers that type of an approach. While it might be wider, if it is within the 1 ha then it will cover it whereas the capacity to plant something that is above 1.1 ha but not greater than 20 m in width means that people will be able to plant more than 1 ha because there is no 1 ha limit but only if it is less than 20 m wide. The provision targets a long riparian zone type that would be more than 1 ha in size but it would be a riparian feature in nature.

Regarding the establishment grant, we will put a scheme together if we have the legislative basis for it. We will consult and engage with members and others on feeding into that.

On Sitka spruce, the objective is to try to encourage more native tree plantation and facilitate a scheme in that regard. That is why we have structured the Bill in the way we have. For riparian zones and smaller groves, we regard native trees as more appropriate. The idea is to introduce a scheme specifically to encourage the plantation of more native trees on a smaller scale. I take the point the Deputy is making on Sitka spruce, but the objective is to try to promote small-scale native tree plantation.