Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As I outlined to Deputies Flaherty and Fitzmaurice, there was a lag in planting in the second half of last year because people were waiting for the new premiums to come in. Those new premiums are now in. I expect that to be a step change in the context of afforestation and a kick-starter in increasing the rates. There are more than 7,000 ha of licences issued and in the system. The conversion rate normally is approximately 60% of licences to planting.