Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is something inherently wrong with the felling licences situation at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The number of licences being issued to Coillte is 135% of the target outlined in the Department's forestry licensing plan 2022. Farmers and private landowners have only received 80% of the target number of licences in the same period. Afforestation is only at 54% of its target. The system is not functioning fairly for all applicants. Coillte seems to have no problem getting the licences, but ordinary farmers or businesspeople who invested in afforestation cannot get the licences. Will the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, explain how Coillte has got 135% of its target number of applications over the line this year alone, not to mention previous years, while ordinary applicants, such as farmers or businesspeople, are delayed? There is prevarication and all kinds of obstacles are put in their way.

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