Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Surely there was a light flashing red in the Department in 2020 saying the new programme must be got up and running by 1 January 2023 to give confidence to the forestry sector? Confidence in the sector is on the floor. I say that genuinely. When I was in the Minister and Minister of State's position I had to talk up my Department and give the Department line. The Minister of State should talk to the farming organisations or any farmer. I could bring her to ten farmers in County Wexford who planned on planting forestry as part of the afforestation programme. They would now spit if planting forest or afforestation were mentioned to them because they are so disheartened. These are genuine people who have a love for the environment and want to assist us in reaching our carbon targets but they are totally turned off by what is happening.

The Minister and Minister of State said they have granted X number of licences. With hand on heart, can they tell me what the current conversion rate is from the licence being granted to what will be planted? Before they answer, they should not say 100% because back in the day it would have been in and around 50%. I think the rate is around 50% because applicants must wait so long on licences that they find alternative uses for the land. Land is at an absolute premium now, for renting or anything like that. Farmers have absolutely gone mad out there renting land, from dairying to tillage and many other commodities. I know of land in County Wexford for which prices have gone up 20%, 30% or 40% in a couple of years. Part of it is tax-free and there are incentives there to rent out land. Farmers have alternative uses for it. On the conversion rate, what percentage of the granted licences do the Minister and Minister of State believe will actually be planted so we see trees in the ground?