Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Craughwell on the issue of local authority members who, in many cases, have to use their leave to attend local authority meetings. In this day and age, it is not good enough. People who are working in the public service or Civil Service, in particular, should get time off to attend meetings, especially when they are elected by the public.

I also support the calls today for a debate on forestry. Forestry is a very important issue in County Mayo and in many other counties. We have seen huge improvements in forestry over recent years, both in the growing and harvesting of products and byproducts. It is a growing industry in this country. Above all, we need to grow somewhere in the region of 18,000 ha per annum to have 18% forest cover by 2050. We need that to meet our carbon emissions targets, to be carbon neutral and to help in that respect. However, it all needs planning. Farmers and landowners need to grow trees and have to make decisions. The old plan is expiring at the end of this year, so we need a new plan. It needs to be delivered quickly. I ask that we have a debate with the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, who is a Member of this House. It is a very important issue at this time. We have seen new and better products coming on stream over recent years, so we need a debate in the area. I hope the Deputy Leader can arrange for that.