Tom Shehan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have been contacted by many private forest owners whose plantations were destroyed in the storms earlier in the year and who are not in a position to replant them. It is unfortunate that the Minister of State with responsibility for this area, Deputy Tom Hayes, cannot attend the House this evening. I am aware he had a prior engagement in Tipperary. If grants were made available for replanting these private forests, it would work out to be cost-neutral. Approximately 50,000 ha of forestry have been destroyed. A replanting grant at €800 per hectare would come to €4 million. The benefits of such a grant would create jobs and more carbon credits, both of which would offset any cost of the grants. I hope my suggestion is looked upon favourably. If the Government took a lead on this, it would be a positive news story, cost-neutral and bring benefits to rural communities through employment while increasing the State's carbon credits.