Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their constructive contributions, which follow on from what their party representatives did in the Dáil during a similarly constructive debate. Opposition Members have been very helpful in steering this Bill in a helpful direction. It is all about timber and trees. There is something very special about trees and their connection to the environment. When I took over this position a little more than 12 months ago, my knowledge of forestry came from the area in which I lived. Growing up in a rural area, I saw trees being planted and felled for mills like Dundrum, where 20 people worked. While the mill in Dundrum has since closed, forestry is now a vibrant industry with huge potential. Therein lies some of the issues, which I will raise in a general manner rather than respond to individual Senators because we will be able to discuss these issues in more depth on Committee and Report Stages. Senator Barrett raised specific issues which I hope to be able to discuss in detail on later Stages.

The importance of forestry to the economy has been outlined by several speakers. Senator Landy spoke about Coillte and the Government decision not to sell it. I was delighted that the Government took that decision and it was widely supported by the Irish public for many reasons. One of the issues that tends to escape commentators' notice is the huge potential for tourism and recreation. One speaker raised the issues of obesity and amenities for children. The Department is forthright in encouraging this use of forests. Coillte and everybody else who is engaged in the industry want to make the land available so that people can enjoy fresh air and learn about trees. As Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, I encourage schools to get involved with us in terms of visiting their local forests. Senator Conway spoke about Kilkenny's victory in the all-Ireland last Sunday. Big and small occasions could be marked by planting a tree. We should be more forthright in using trees and the environment in this way. I am the oldest of a family of ten. My father planted a beech tree when each of us were born. He is dead and gone but the trees are still there and they will be there when I am dead and gone. There is a special story in trees and in our environment and we should encourage this at every level.

We should encourage it at every level. I will encourage it while I remain in this position.

I wish to address some general issues such as ash dieback and land availability. Senator Landy spoke about good land but the reality is there are large amounts of marginal land across the country. A land availability committee has been set up under Nuala Ní Fhlatharta from Teagasc, which is currently examining what land can be made available for forestry in the future. There are reasons one cannot plant forestry on certain types of land. Last night I attended a meeting with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys, and departmental officials, on hen harriers. Last week Nuala Ní Fhlatharta reported to us on the land that could be made available. The figure is astonishing. A total of 180,000 ha of land could be made available if we changed practices. The report is not fully complete but I hope to have it by Christmas in order to make extra land available, to lift some restrictions and to encourage people who own land to consider forestry.

The hen harrier is a problem that must be addressed. The extra land that could be made available is significant when one considers that we plant in the region of 66,500 ha of forestry each year. I expect some movement in terms of potential land availability in the coming months, certainly by early next year, in particular when the new forestry programme that is out for consultation has concluded. We received many views on the issue. We must go to Europe with the programme in the coming months.

We must be able to reassure people who commit to forestry because it is a significant commitment. One does not just make up one’s mind to get involved in forestry over night; it involves a 20-year or 30-year commitment and then one must replant. It is a decision that impacts on future generations, which is not easy, because it is possible to change from dairy to beef production in a year. Land owners are used to such change. The reason for the introduction of the Bill is to make it easier and more accessible to get involved in forestry and to reassure those who make the decision to get involved that they are protected. We will try to deal with land availability in the coming months.

Taxation is an issue. There is no doubt people were encouraged to go into forestry for tax reasons. Currently, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, is carrying out a review. Submissions have been made to him and I hope we will come to a conclusion that will help forestry. The approach on taxation was designed to encourage participation and I wish that to remain the case. However, change is required. There must be a levelling of the playing field over a period when clearfell takes place and money has been received for one year. I have written to the Minister for Finance on the matter and spoken to him personally and I hope the issue will be resolved. That might happen given the improved economic climate.

Another concern raised by many speakers is ash dieback. I acknowledge the work of my late predecessor, Shane McEntee, who was most committed to resolving the situation. Such was his concern that the problem appeared to affect him. We constantly monitor the situation. The disease has been dealt with on plants where it was identified. That approach will continue. Dieback is removed where it is found in a plantation. I agree with what Senator Landy said, namely, that it might not be possible to clearfell all forestry and that the focus will be on removing the affected plants. Older plants are not affected by ash dieback. The disease is confined to imported stock. We encourage people to use native-grown species not imported plants. Ongoing work is carried out in conjunction with the GAA. Last Saturday I met an official in Croke Park and it is intended to have more meetings with him to deal with the matter. The problem could become a major one but we continue to monitor the situation.

Senator Naughton referred to licences. Extensive discussions were held with the farming organisations. I put significant effort, in conjunction with spokespersons in the Dáil, in trying to come to an agreement that felling licences would be processed within four months. It was a considerable job, not least in terms of convincing officials, because of the lack of resources in the Forest Service due to the economic climate. I well understand the situation. However, we did set a timeframe for it, and in the same way as planning permission is dealt with, felling licences are to be processed within four months. I welcome the measure, which is included in the Bill.

I wish to work with the Seanad on the details raised in connection with the Bill. We received much support in the other House from spokespersons. I also acknowledge the support and help of farming organisations, the forest owners association, mill owners and everyone involved in the healthy and lively discussions that were most worthwhile. Ultimately, when the Bill is passed by both Houses and signed into law, we will be in a far better position. As a Parliament we will have made our mark in terms of forestry in the future. I wish to see the forestry sector develop and grow. There is potential for that all over the country. Commitment to forestry is evident.

I agree with what a speaker said about education. There are many ways in which to reach young people. Two weeks ago when I was launching a product in County Laois I met young people who are training to be foresters. They hope jobs will be available in the Forest Service or in a private company involved in planting land. There is also great potential in the milling industry. We have a most efficient milling industry. There are numerous opportunities given the many items one can make with or carve out of wood. The forestry industry is a good news story. I sincerely thank all those who have helped to progress the Bill to date. I look forward to working with the Seanad on the remaining Stages of the Bill. The proposed change will be for the good of those involved in the industry.