Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

I agree that it is important to have a multi-functioning forestry strategy and system in Ireland. I reassure the Deputy that every felling licence issued comes with a requirement to reforest the land. It is sometimes said we fell more than we plant but felling licences come with a reforestation commitment so the actual area involved can be a little unclear. However, the Deputy can be assured that we are growing our forestry area year on year.

The commercial timber sector is a vital part of what we do, particularly for rural economies, and that is set to continue and to grow. We have made all sorts of commitments I would like to see come to fruition as regards the use of timber in house-building. The future is bright for that sector but we need to get things right so the system is fully functional for those applicants.

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