Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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We have clear rules that we signed up to from a European perspective. It is a nuanced question. It is not a black and white issue. What are peatlands? There are different types of peatlands and beyond. We have set criteria that we have to meet now. From a forestry perspective, our current forestry programme is very different. When people speak about the mistakes of the past, and what happened in certain parts of the country with forestry programmes, we have a very different forestry programme now. It is very robust. It is built on the best scientific advice on the environment. Can this always be looked at and can certainly nuances and elements be looked at? Absolutely. Ultimately what we want to do is encourage. There is more than €1 billion in the forestry programme. I firmly believe there is a great opportunity for us to have this alternative income stream for farmers. This does not necessarily mean getting out of farming and into forestry. If some wish to do so that is fine and some may see it like that. Plenty of farmers see it as incorporating a certain element of the forestry programme into their farming activity which can supplement their income with a regular income from the forestry programme that is very attractive.