James Heffernan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I thank the Leader for bringing this debate to the House today because I called for it some weeks ago, following the retirement of Henry Shefflin, when I said he was a mighty man on the field but left many broken bits of ash behind him. I know it is an issue close to the Minister of State’s heart because he comes from County Tipperary. There are as many hurley makers and ash growers in his county as in mine. I still play a bit of junior B hurling with my local club. Playing at that level there is quite a large turnover of ash, dishing it out and taking it.

Ash dieback has gone under the radar. We have seen how the Department has tackled livestock diseases such as foot and mouth. This has major implications not only for the ash growers, but for hurley makers, clubs and families. The hurley is often the first thing put into a child’s cradle, especially in the hurling counties, and is often the last thing left on a coffin when a good man is being put down. The symbol of the hurley is of great importance to Ireland. Hurley making is a craft that needs to be given special recognition and protection either by the European Union or the Government here because it is entering a period of crisis, especially with ash dieback. Coillte has maintained a supply of the native ash to the hurley makers. It has maintained the price at approximately €8.50 a plank, whereas private suppliers importing ash from all over Europe, from Holland to Slovakia, charge hurley makers €10.50 a plank. If ash dieback disease takes hold in our native plant, having shown itself in a couple of plantations, it will have diabolical consequences.Only one tree out of 1,000 ash trees in a plantation shows a form of immunity to ash dieback. It is phenomenal that a whole plantation could be wiped out by the disease. Research by the scientist whose name escapes me shows that ash dieback does not proliferate through bark on the tree. Has the Department looked into a relaxation of the regulation that any imported ash must be barkless? It is not an issue that will be on the front pages but it has major implications for the GAA and the sustainability of our native ash suppliers and craftsmen. This has the potential to push the cost of ash sky high. I do not know if the Minister of State has thought about a subsidy for hurley makers so that they can offset the costs. The Minister of State is from Tipperary and my crowd are familiar with the Golden-Kilfeacle and we know about "The Combo" and Annacarty. We probably taught them how to use the ash over there. However, this is a serious issue.

Is there some recognition for the unique craft of hurley making, which is unique to Ireland? The hurley is a symbol pushed into the hands of every visiting dignitary after a pint of Guinness. Barack Obama was given one as was Prince Philip, when he visited Croke Park. In "Charlie", the television series about Mr. Haughey, he gave a camán to the Iraqi delegation to bring back to Saddam. It is a major symbol for our country. From speaking to hurley makers, the imported ash is not of the same quality and many of them will not go near it. Can we introduce a quality standard to separate native ash from imported ash? Maybe the Department should look at the issue. I thank the Minister of State for taking the debate, which has implications for ash growers, hurley makers and families the length and breadth of the country.