Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It comes down to the fact that the ambitions are there. The rate of planting is a big concern. My Department has engaged with the forestry companies as to why their clients are not planting. We are also going to write to the holders of afforestation licences, that is, those who have been in receipt of a licence for more than six months, to ascertain one on one what the issues are and whether they have changed their minds or leased their lands to a neighbouring farmer.

We absolutely need to get down to the granular level from which we are seeking to obtain that information. All I can say is we really need that concerted effort to get farmers planting and landowners engaged in this again. It is going to be a massive part of our future. It is essential that we get a start on that as soon as possible.

See this speech in context