Senator Pippa Hackett:

The site clearance aspect was addressed by the independent review. Having engaged with all stakeholders, including landowners, it was felt that doubling the clearance rate from €1,000 to €2,000 per ha was a fair picture to paint and price to pay. I accept that there will be examples where people have to pay more. This is a grant to support clearance. In some instances, the clearance might not cost €2,000.

I accept that there will be extreme examples - the one the Deputy quoted is pretty extreme - on the basis of what the independent review group heard only last year from the stakeholders the Deputy is now saying are completely dissatisfied with the scheme. The ash dieback task force is the forum for anyone who has an issue with the scheme to engage with. It has met and will continue to meet. Its sole purpose is to allow for owners affected by ash dieback and other stakeholders to have their voices heard. That is where that needs to be done and that is why I established it.

The majority of organisations involved in that are engaging proactively and progressively.

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