Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I worked in None-So-Hardy nurseries in County Wicklow. I ask the Minister of State if at all possible in her busy schedule to visit it. Nearly every Minister with responsibility for forestry has visited None-So-Hardy in Wicklow. They have a base in County Wexford as well. If we are to encourage farmers to enter into planting forestry, they have to see that as a seamless process. If they see a process that has delays with decisions from inspectors and so on, they will not be encouraged to go into forestry. I know quite a number of farmers in that position. None-So-Hardy nurseries have dumped millions of trees over the last years because of the lack of planting. They are committing to their side of it, sowing from seedlings and the whole way up but when it gets to planting and to the farmers, there is a serious delay. I ask for the undivided attention of the Minister of State on this specific issue. I ask her, on behalf of the management, to visit None-So-Hardy nurseries in Wicklow or Wexford.

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