Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and wish her well in her appointment. Some Members have criticised the fact that she and her Department have swiftly brought this legislation before the House. I commend them on bringing the legislation so swiftly. We have a major issue in the forestry industry with jobs at risk and the knock-on effect it has on the building industry. We have vexatious appeals stalling the entire process and putting up to 12,000 jobs at risk. I particularly think of Glennon Brothers Timber from Longford, a family-run business founded in 1913 with more than 250 employees. I think of local lads in my own village, Fox Brothers Carpentry, who employ 20 people erecting timber frame housing. We are pushing and looking for the Government to put forward funding to increase our house building yet the supply of raw materials for house building has nearly come to nil and now we are looking at importing materials. This is about protecting jobs - it is as simple as that. I will be fully supporting the Bill. I ask that all other Members support it both here and in the Dáil.