Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 25 January 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I only became aware of the deal after it was done. Coillte is contractually committed to it and has an obligation to it. The deal represents 3.5% of Coillte's total ambition between now and 2050. Having examined the deal with Coillte, it is not our preferred option. We are looking to see how the State can partner directly with Coillte and are considering options for it to partner with farmers. Our €1.3 billion forestry programme is all about backing family farms. That is why we gave farmers 20-year premiums compared with 15-year premiums for everyone else. The outgoing and previous forestry programmes had 15-year premiums for everyone. Does the Minister of State wish to add something?