Senator Pippa Hackett:

I fully acknowledge the difficulties and problems in the forestry sector. I also acknowledge that we have legacy problems from poor decisions made over the past number of decades. That is something this Government is acknowledging and is appreciative of, and it is something we want to fix and improve upon. That is why we achieved the ambitious forestry commitments in the programme for Government, which are more ambitious than those of any previous programme. We have been in government for the past two and a half months, if that, and we have already implemented some interesting and progressive moves within forestry in terms of woodland creation. We have looked at the climate issue. We are embracing that in how we deal with our forestry and I have given a commitment that I want to see it improved. I want to see a better forestry model for Ireland. It is certainly something I want to be part of and drive on and I would appreciate any inputs from people in this House and beyond.

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