Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

It should not be but that is the reality. The man would appreciate a conversation with the Minister about the matter.

The Minister referred to forestry. The recently appointed Minister of State said in a statement that she was concerned there had been such a fall off in the development of forestry. Was there a change by the Department with regard to what happened last year with the cutbacks? We were told there would be a reduction from 20% to 10% and the Department was openly embracing the fact that we had held 10% and that the premia would be reduced accordingly.

Many people had accepted the idea that there was greater profitability in forestry in marginal areas, particularly in the west of Ireland, but they could not proceed. There are 500 applications in the Department awaiting approval and the farmers cannot proceed. The planting season will be over.