John Carty (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate her on the introduction of the forest environment protection scheme. The Minister introduced the FEP scheme on a pilot basis in early 2007, and it is testament to her eagerness to have it implemented that she has brought it forward so quickly — we are now only in the first months of 2008. I particularly welcome it because it gives people in my area, where land is marginal, an opportunity to plant. I especially welcome the reduction in the minimum size to 5 ha. for farms with 30 ha. or less. For bigger farms, the sliding scale has been dispensed with and instead, a flat rate premium of €200 per hectare will be paid for planted areas of 8 ha. or more, irrespective of farm size. This is good news for both small and large REPS farmers with enhanced incentives. It is also good news that their entitlements will not be affected, which is very important in that part of the country.

I ask the Minister of State to consider the fact that some very marginal land has been planted in years past and this has been of little benefit, especially in the north west and west of the country. Large areas have been planted but there has been no great return from this. People have received grants, but the planting is a blight on the landscape from a sightseeing point of view. Many of these trees were planted on virgin bog. If the land had been left alone it would have been of equal use.

Senator Ellis also alluded to the condition of roads and fences left by forestry activities. I concur that there should be some provision to deal with this. At the moment, when trees are felled and removed from the forests the roads are sometimes left in a terrible condition, but people still have to use them. I know there are grants in place in this regard but they are not being used properly. In west Mayo, which is the most scenic area of the county, trees have been removed in the past four or five years without being replaced or the areas refurbished. It is an eyesore. Large numbers of tourists go through this area and they ask why this has happened. The local population is also angry about it.

Demand for timber is high. In the west there are a number of facilities producing wood stakes, which have provided employment in these areas. For example, the Gaeltacht Co-operative in Corr na Móna, was set up by our former colleague, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, before he became a TD or a Minister, and there is the facility at Hollymount. These employ quite a number of people in the production of these raw materials. This is important to the local economy, which does not have a high employment rate.

I ask the Minister of State to consider the proposal that many more broadleaf trees be sown on good land. The Forest Service is considering this. These trees are vitally important and they look good. I know they take a long time to mature but we must look to the future. We may not be around to enjoy them but they would be good for the country and the economy.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and for her introduction of the new scheme. Many farmers in my part of the world will welcome the extra payments that will be given out.