Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

The figure of 10,000 ha. is indicative. We did not have an obligation to reach this level, although I would have liked to do that. However, it is likely that we will exceed the target of 7,000 ha., and I am delighted with that. We released 1,500 ha. in the past few weeks, and we had subscriptions for the equivalent of 3,600 ha. Thus, a demand exists, which we have identified. I will meet officials from the forestry section tomorrow morning in Wexford when we will discuss the excess. At present it seems likely that we will exceed the 7,000 hectares about which I am happy in the current climate.

See this speech in context