Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter, which relates to significant employment throughout the country. It was inherited by the Government and has been brought about by massive serial objections to forestry licences all over the country, which created paralysis in the system.

As the Deputy said, he supported a forestry Bill that was enacted in October, which brings the forestry licensing process in line with the planning process under the Planning and Development Act 2000. A detailed project plan is being put in place to address licensing files. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with its Minister, is investing heavily in additional resources to deliver the implementation of this plan. The Deputy referenced an amnesty or the dramatic increase in departmental staff, and this staff increase is happening. I will engage with the Minister on increasing staff numbers more if necessary.

Ten permanent forestry inspectors are joining the Department to assist with licensing, with four starting this week, and these will be supplemented by another four temporary forestry inspectors. Meanwhile, 16 ecologists are working on forestry licensing, with more to be hired. Additional administrative staff have been put in place along with the recruitment of a new project manager.

October and November were the months with the highest rate of licence output to date this year, with almost 600 new licences issued. Felling licences issued represented in excess of 1.4 million tonnes in timber volume, which is almost as much as the previous five months combined.

The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, has also significantly resourced the forestry appeals committee, with four such committees now set up and hearing appeals. Previously there had been just one committee. Last week the Minister appointed an independent chair, Ms Jo O'Hara, the former director general of Scottish Forestry, to advise the Minister on the implementation of the Mackinnon report. This is a key commitment of the programme for Government, which was to review the approval processes for afforestation in Ireland.

The Minister has also established a reform of the forestry programme implementation group, which had its first meeting last week. I assure the Deputy that no effort is being spared to resolve these matters and our response is beginning to pay dividends in increased output. There was a very significant backlog leading up to this. The Government is committed to a well-functioning, environmentally sustainable forestry sector. We must maintain the momentum and focus while continuing to grow output so a significant part of the regional and rural economy can develop.

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