Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the timeframe provided by the Minister. I note the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, who played a pivotal role in the scheme from a forestry point of view. Much of the land in question, particularly in my local area, is suitable for forestry. I am aware of a degree of anxiety in the Department to address the forestry element as well.

As representatives of the affected areas, we are anxious to see the problem in relation to the designation looked at. While it is not responsible for the designation, the Department has stepped into the breech to provide leadership in resolving the problem. Can the designation problem be looked at with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys, from a forestry point of view? The Minister knows the quality of the land I am talking about. In a lot of cases, it is only suitable for forestry. While the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, is trying to deal with it, if we could get the forestry issue on the table as well, it would make a major difference to farmers.

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