Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That will be important. It is not just a matter of dealing with the issue, which is important; it is also a significant issue of health and safety. We have to remember that. It is about confidence in the sector. A farmer or landowner thinking about how those affected by ash dieback have been treated would not be very confident or seek to engage or enter forestry. Therefore, it is important that the Minister of State consider allowing those affected to access the same grants and premiums as new entrants. If we want to build confidence in the sector, we need to get the supports for those affected right. That is very important.

There is also an issue with roadside ash dieback. Landowners are being told they are responsible for dealing with it. I am aware that the Department has issued guidance on this but the farmers will need more than guidance; they will need financial support. It is a serious health and safety issue and it needs to be investigated. I ask the Minister of State to consider not requiring felling licences and allowing permissions to be granted automatically to get this issue dealt with once and for all. She should get rid of the red tape, deal with the issue by granting permission for all the affected trees to be removed, and consider again the financial package to support farmers and other landowners in meeting the cost of site clearance, which is not currently being met although it should be.

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