Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have not spoken on this before. It relates to the management plan. I was delighted to hear what the Minister of State said earlier when he spoke about the potential for forestry and said that it was not all limited to Coillte and that the aim was to encourage private investment. That is what concerns me here. In respect of encouraging private investors, there seems to be much red tape and administrative burden placed on anybody who is thinking of getting involved in business, no matter what business we are talking about. I hope the Minister of State could outline to me what sort of forest management plan he is talking about. Is there a danger that the management plan would force the investor to resort to the work of specialists - for example, to complete a survey of the land? Could they do that on their own, or would the Minister of State be able to give a rough cost and timeframe for the completion of a forest management plan for an average-sized forest? I have full confidence in the Minister of State but I am worried that some future Minister might have a different attitude. I know the way the Minister of State feels, but if we pass legislation that enables a future Minister to impose such a detailed and expensive forest plan, it might deter people who would otherwise invest.