Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

According to the ancient Chinese proverb, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and the second best time is now. Tomorrow, the first Thursday in October, is Tetra Pak Tree Day. This Bill does not come a moment too soon. Forestry is a crop which needs to be planted and harvested in a timely manner. Our forestry industry is in crisis. The logjam in the licensing system and the appeals process is causing significant damage to the whole sector. This has dragged down the afforestation rate and put severe pressure on timber supplies. Those considering investing are turning away from forestry and towards other options because of the long delays in processing licences. The industry directly employs 12,000 people in rural Ireland and contributes €2.3 billion per annum to our economy. It also absorbs 3.8 million tonnes of CO2 every year. This is a significant carbon sink. If we do not increase our afforestation rate to at least 15,000 ha per annum, we will face increased fines for greenhouse gas emissions.

The forestry sector in County Clare is vibrant. Forestry makes an enormous contribution to Irish society, the Irish economy and our environment. One of the biggest concentrations of forestry in the country is in the Slieve Aughty Mountains in north-east Clare. Some 55,000 acres of significant forest are planted on public and private landholdings throughout County Clare. At present, some sawmills are having to resort to importing raw materials to survive. This crisis puts our entire forestry sector at risk of importing dangerous insects and infections such as the bark beetle. We are all aware of the damage that ash dieback has done to ash species in this country. There are several other issues which I would like to raise with the Minister of State, but due to time constraints I cannot do so. I ask her to bring her new forestry policy to this House and arrange a debate as soon as possible.

I will conclude with three short questions. Will the new regulations be published within days of the enactment of this Bill? How many additional staff will be recruited for the forestry appeals committee? Have these vacancies been advertised?

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