Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I compliment the Minister of State and I welcome him to the House. He has a vast knowledge of the importance of forestry to rural Ireland, and I look forward to the passage of this Bill. My father was a forestry worker all his life and I have known the importance of the woods of north Westmeath to the community. We are privileged to be living in the lake district area of north Westmeath, with its forestry and bogs.

The programme for Government has highlighted and recognised the importance of forestry. The programme clearly states that forestry policy must take into account its crucial role on climate change and its importance to the construction of energy biodiversity, with its potential to deliver long-term employment in other downstream industries, such as ecotourism, furniture and crafts. The review will include the roll of Coillte, its functions and options, and I welcome this announcement by the Minister of State. It will also assess the effectiveness in the current forestry grants scheme and make recommendations on how best to deliver supports in the future. Following the review, there will be an overhaul and significant enhancement of the current situation, with hopes to improve plantation by 2030 to 17%.

I congratulate local authorities, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the NRA for the great work they have done over the last few years. They have transformed Ireland by linking Dublin with Cork, Limerick and Galway. Right before our eyes, we see all the young trees and shrubs that are planted on our drive to the capital city when we come to work in the Parliament. It is obvious that importance was put on this during the planning stages of these roads.

The programme for Government stated that we will be promoting a diversity of forestry culture, with an emphasis on native trees, to ensure that a maximum 30% of broad leaf trees will be planted annually. We have a serious love for beech trees in my part of the country. Will these trees be included for grant funding? Beech is a magnificent species of tree, and the Tullynally estate, the hills of Mullagh and Mullaghmeen all contain beautiful trees that have been planted.

We can become a net exporter of energy. Coillte is currently engaged with Bord na Móna in a joint venture to do this. There is a great amount of bogland and high ground where trees are being planted, such as Mullagh and Randoon, and where the farming community could be assisted with alternative farming income which would be of great significance to the Exchequer for energy costs. I welcome the pilot phase of the project that will begin next year with the initial planting of 200 hectares. It is proposed to plant up to 5,000 hectares over a number of years.

We have the right Minister of State in situ with the necessary attitude, and the Government has a determination to do everything it can to improve the environment and reap the return from our efforts. This is particularly the case for tourism, and it has been suggested that mountain bike tourism can provide an opportunity to make our youth fit. The greatest gift one can give is to make oneself fit. That level of fitness provides confidence and confidence can move mountains.