John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I assure this House that this Government is fully committed, as articulated in repeated programmes for Government, to the long-term development of the forestry sector in Ireland. I am aware that there is concern in the industry following the publication of the Book of Estimates last week but the House will be aware that the Government is facing very difficult choices in the area of public finances and is not in a position to make as much money available for all programmes as it would wish. I am satisfied, however, that there will be no major job losses in the industry, as is being predicted.

Under the national development plan expenditure of over €900 million has been designated for the forestry sector. This demonstrates the commitment the Government has to both the medium and long-term development of the forestry sector in Ireland.

Over the last six years alone expenditure has exceeded €540 million, an average annual spend of €90 million, which is not far removed from the allocation of €82.5 million for next year. This allocation, therefore, has to be seen not only in the context of the general budgetary situation but also of the very considerable expenditure over recent years and the forestry commitment in the national development plan.

Under this Government expenditure in forestry has geared up significantly with a projected outturn this year above of almost €107 million. The Government is committed also to the sustainable development of our forests. As the House is aware, the national climate changes strategy identifies the key role to be played under the Kyoto Protocol. The strategy calls for an intensification of the afforestation programme in view of the ongoing importance of enhancing sinks capacity towards reducing overall greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The strategy has set a target for forests to contribute 6% to the proposed reductions in emissions and a viable afforestation programme over a sustained period is essential if the target is to be met.

The impact of forestry has to be looked at also in terms not only of creating the conditions necessary to increase sustainable development but also of contributing to the maintenance of the maximum number of viable farm households and of the wider rural economy. Forestry has the potential to create employment, often in remote rural areas where opportunities are limited. The main message is that forestry, particularly farm forestry, has a future and can contribute in a real way to our economic, social and environmental well being as a nation.