Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a very interesting debate about where and what we plant. Given what is happening throughout Ireland, whether through schools, community organisations or farming groups, this ethos of planting trees has taken root - pardon the pun - in the past five or six year in particular. Co-operative societies have been giving perhaps 200 trees per year to farmers in order that they can plant on their hedgerows and build them up, which are a really positive part of the environment that has changed dramatically over the years. This legislation will go a long way towards removing any anomaly that may exist whereby farmers might be deemed to be offside. Even in the case of my community, which has started a campaign of planting trees including through our local school, I would be fearful that without this legislation, those elements of the community could be deemed to be offside.We must acknowledge that the idea of going out and planting trees of such nature, indigenous trees, in our urban and rural environment is something that should be promoted. This legislation is a very important part of that. I welcome it and I believe that the Minister is doing the right thing. If there is any loophole it would be closed here tonight to ensure that community groups and farmers have done the right thing over the last few years. It is a very positive step.