Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Again, the Deputy chooses to dismiss anything said on this side of the House. What I said, of course, was that the State is investing significantly in forestry through the increased premiums, which will largely benefit farmers who wish to use existing farmland for forestry. The premiums have been increased dramatically by 46%, and by 66% in certain cases. That is a State allocation that is funding forestry. We badly need new forestry. We are incentivising farmers, in particular, and others who have land to utilise the new incentives to increase the plantation of new forests dramatically. The fund the Deputy talked about, with which Coillte did a deal, represents approximately 1% of the existing forest estate. Everything has to have a context and perspective attached to it as well. I favour the State buying more land for native woodland and rewilding. Coillte is clear that 50% of all new forests will be native woodland.

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