Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Farrell and I are sharing three and a half minutes each, unless there is any time residue left over from the previous speaker. I imagine we would happily use that too.

I thank the Minister of State for the opportunity to address this Bill. I welcome the legislation on the whole. We badly need to address the long backlogs from concerned communities, in terms of appeals that are awaiting outcome, and the forestry industry. For the first time ever, the industry is in real danger in terms of continuity of supply for various products, including timber and forestry residue, for the second quarter of next year.

I welcome the fact that, like An Bord Pleanála, we are going to split. As the previous speaker has said, it is important that we get the range of expertise right. It is neither preferable to have too many ecologists nor no industry representatives. A balance of both is required so that we can achieve the environmental responsibilities and targets we yearn for as well as cater for the supply of timber. There are some 12,000 employees throughout the country. One example in my area is Masonite in south County Leitrim. The company employs 140 people and pays some €8 million in wages each year, predominantly to people in Leitrim, Longford and Roscommon, as well as €500,000 in rates. That is the sort of contribution at issue. The company uses the residue from forestry in the products it makes. Such companies are important to our economy and it is important that we support them. Timber mills throughout the country are in difficulty over supply. Timber auctions have been cancelled.

Anyway, I am not simply here to hold a candle for industry, although it is important and I believe the measures in this legislation must be immediately followed up with the appropriate resources. When the Bill is passed later this week, please God, the job will not be done. The job will only be done when we quickly recruit those who need to be recruited and get the additional deputy chairpersons involved so that the appeals board can divide and take appropriate decisions in the interests of communities and the industry.

Again, as someone from the north west of the country and as someone who is conscious of our environment, as all of us are in the north west, I am mindful of the fact that if all counties were pulling their weight in terms of forestry, then we would be in a better position. County Leitrim, instead of hanging around 11% in terms of national cover, has a higher rate of coverage. Coverage in Ireland is the lowest in Europe, as previous speakers have said. The average Europe-wide is 30%. In Leitrim we are probably closer to the 30% figure. As Deputies may be aware, the official figure for forest cover in County Leitrim is 17%. It is argued locally - I have seen it myself - that up to 50% of agricultural land is afforested. That is difficult for communities. They do not want over-afforestation in a particular location and the Government needs to be conscious of this. The appeals board and those assessing applications need to be conscious of this when they are assessing applications. They need to listen to local communities. I do not like the removal of "relevant person" or the idea of someone from a particular perspective or modus operandion the Falkland Islands being able to dictate what might be grown in Sligo, Kildare or Dublin. I do not believe this is the right thing to do. I believe we can trust our people. I would appreciate if the Minister of State could take some of these points on board.

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