Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is my fault. I enticed the Minister of State to answer my question. He covered this aspect in his initial contribution. I apologise for missing or overlooking that.

What the Minister of State is doing has the full support of this side of the House. It is important to protect our forestry and the industries that derive from forestry and use timber. The steps he has taken are welcome.

The forestry industry grew from the grant schemes introduced in 1982. I know the Minister of State often meets representatives of the forestry industry and we are now in the lead-up to the budget. The Minister of State knows that grant aid for the forestry sector is important and I know it will not be easy for every Minister to get what he wants in the budget, but I reiterate the importance of holding on to the forestry grants we have.

I reiterate the importance of trying to hold on to what we have in respect of the forestry grants that are available.