Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minster of State for the reply and I look forward to getting the tables. Planting, or afforestation as the Minister of State is calling it, is hugely important. I would divide it into two sectors, one of which is the production of timber for the commercial sector. The Minister of State might give me an indication of what we would have to plant in order to allow us even to continue with the kind of milling industry that we have, which is so important for our exports.

Added to that is the planting that will be required to reach the targets for broadleaves, most of which do not have the same attraction for the timber milling industry. There are two sectors here and it is not a case of one against the other. It should be one plus the other. I ask the Minister of State to outline what must be done now so that in 30 or 40 years we have the supply to ensure that what is a very valuable and thriving timber industry will continue, while also having enough broadleaf trees to achieve our climate targets.

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