Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To what extent will the Minister of State continue to encourage the use of specific species of trees for certain purposes? There is quite a difference between some of the hardwood trees and some of the conifers. The much-maligned Sitka spruce has been consigned to the waste bin in most cases, wrongly in my opinion. It has a huge contribution to make, particularly in shelter. In forests, the outer ring should normally be of a sheltering variety that ensures the species on the inside enjoy the right growing conditions. It would be helpful if the Minister of State were more specific in advertising what is best in these kinds of environments so the farming community can consider tree-growing on ordinary farmland and headlands, and also in corners that are sometimes not suited to farming.

Such land could be used for tree-growing.

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