James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this legislation. It was interesting to hear my colleague on the other side of the House, Deputy Boyd Barrett, talking about energy co-operatives. That form of co-operation exists within every parish in the country, in particular in rural areas. People are involved in tidy town committees and development committees, for example. They are doing great work such as tree planting in their respective parishes and townlands. This must be acknowledged. I would like to know how many trees Deputy Boyd Barrett has planted in his time. I would not think he would match many Members on this side of the House in the number of trees they have planted over the years. Apart from living in the leafy suburbs of Dublin I do not think he would be aware of the tree planting initiatives put in place by this Government by means of forestry grants-----

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