Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will report on progress on the forestry Bill; when he will be in a position to publish the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19611/08]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Following a comprehensive review of the Forestry Act 1946, the heads of a proposed forestry Bill have been drafted and submitted to me for consideration. I am studying the implications of the Bill and hope to be in a position to present it to the Government shortly. I hope to publish the forestry Bill in the autumn.

The main objective in proposing a new forestry Bill is to introduce one principal Act, which will consolidate and update existing forestry legislation in the light of modern forestry knowledge and practice. The comprehensive legislative framework provided by the forestry Bill will support the development of a modern, multifunctional high-quality forestry sector.

Among the principal features of the Bill will be the introduction of a simpler and more streamlined felling licence system, the provision of a statutory basis for forestry guidelines and forest management plans, as well as provisions to enhance the protection of forests and plant health. It also is proposed to take a more flexible approach regarding the question of replanting after harvesting. However, the general principle of replanting after felling will remain to ensure that the national forest estate is maintained. The Bill will address many of the issues raised during the consultation process undertaken by the Department over the last number of years.

The overall thrust of the Bill is to provide for the development of forestry in a manner which maximises the economic, environmental and social value of forests within the principles of sustainable forest management. It will ensure that the best structures are in place for the development and efficient operation of the forest industry, the proper management of forests after planting and the protection and enhancement of the environment.

P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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First, I congratulate the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, and the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Tony Killeen, on their promotion to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I look forward to working with them and have known both of them for some time.

As for the Minister of State's reply, is he stating there has been no progress since the former Minister answered a similar question tabled by me in November 2007? This Bill has been in gestation since May 1998. I wish it a happy tenth anniversary, as ten years have passed since this Bill was first focused upon in 1998. While an elephant only takes 22 months to gestate and deliver her baby, ink has not been put to paper in respect of this Bill after ten years. This constitutes another fine example of paralysis by analysis. Is it not time this Bill was published? Will it be out of date by the time it is published? This measure seeks to update the Act of 1946, which is over 60 years old.

The Minister's party used the phrase "a lot done, more to do" in 2002. That was six years ago and this Bill is a case of "we have not seen a lot and we do not know how much more there is to do".

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Sheehan for his good wishes. I am sure he will accept that, whatever about gestation periods, six days in the Department is a short time to expect me to deliver on a ten-year process.

P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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There is no fear that this Bill will be a premature baby.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to bring the Bill before the Government as quickly as possible. I hope to have the Bill published in the autumn.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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As with any regime change, one would hope there are plans for force majeure events. This has been ten years in the making.

I welcome the clear statement and, frankly, I hope it is true. This legislation was on the Order Paper when I came into this House, then it was taken off and it has appeared again. The confusion relating to this is genuine and, from the point of view of a spokesperson on agriculture, there has been no legislation on agriculture, fisheries, forestry or food in the past 12 months. For this reason I hope the statement is genuine and I look forward to the legislation.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I intend to prioritise this legislation. I acknowledge that a significant amount of time has passed but a great deal of work has been done on this Bill. I would like the heads of the Bill to go to the Government in the next month or so.

P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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It does not take ten years to bring forward a Bill.