Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

No, I cannot. That is a matter for the Department of Finance. I am aware of the issue. I was lobbied on it by people in my constituency following the budget last year. It caused a lot of difficulty for some people who had committed to the forestry scheme.

In the past 40 years forestry in this country has increased from 1% cover to 10% cover. People were very forward thinking in the 1970s and 1980s when they planted many of the existing forests. I am aware of the difficulty the decision caused to some individuals who were reliant on their income in that regard. I will raise the matter with the Minister for Finance but I cannot give any indication of when it is likely to happen. Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.

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