Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will respond to the questions in reverse order. The importation of timber for firewood is being dealt with at the ports. Last year, permission to unload a full shipment of firewood was refused and we required a supermarket to withdraw from its shelves material on which bark was present.

The same will apply to all supermarkets, stations and even people selling from the back of lorries. We have the manpower at the ports.

Regarding compensation, everything to date has been done voluntarily by farmers, growers and foresters. Those who supplied the plants have committed to reimbursing people with a different species. Ash will not be replanted on land that has been infected. Currently, there is no compensation. We will not wipe out any plantation unnecessarily and we will continue to pay the premiums to the ten sites in question. We will also pay for a new planting programme.

We met the hurley makers last week and will do so again. Since they are coming under pressure, counties Kilkenny and Clare might also be put under pressure.

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