Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter and I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to deal with it. I appreciate her coming here now because as the Acting Chairman will know, we will be discussing this later. I thank the Minister of State and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, for agreeing to appear before the committee later today to discuss this matter.

I have two specific issues, the first of which is about the forestry programme while the second concerns the Gresham House investment. Since I tabled this matter, things have become somewhat clearer. I will touch on them with regard to commentary attributed to both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste by RTÉ news yesterday on the web.

I will start of on a positive because that is important. We had some engagement on Thursday of last week. I started off by saying to both the Minister of State and the Minister that forestry was in crisis. The Minister suggested and, indeed, maybe the Minister of State did too, that it may have been in crisis but we are past that stage. The Minister of State will defend her case, and I appreciate and respect that. One thing that must be made very clear in a discussion in any political engagement is that people should have courtesy and show respect. I want to show that at all times to the Minister of State and any other Minister who comes to this House.

In that context, and on a positive note, I think we all agree on a few principles in terms of a sustainable forestry sector that can achieve commercial climate and biodiversity goals, namely: a reduction in the volume of imported timber, where possible and practical; actively pursuing the timber options for the construction of new homes, which is an area of great potential; improving the current licensing schemes that are holding back potential forestry industry; and maximising the timelines for every application and function in the licensing system to fully implement the Mackinnon report in a defined timeframe.

I did a word search in respect of the programme for Government earlier. Interestingly, the word "forestry" appears 15 times. It was very easy to pull up the 15 asks associated with the word, one of which is that we roll out the recommendations of the Mackinnon report. I accept that mattes move on and that things have changed in two and a half years, but I would like to hear some detail in respect of the matter to which I refer.

There is also the issue of a forestry development agency. We have a different view on that or the Department does not see fit to have a defined and designated forestry development agency that promotes and represents the sector. There is a view in the private sector that Coillte has advantages over it. That is a particular issue.

It is important that we have clarity. I am not necessarily looking for the Minister of State to go into great detail on the Gresham House report today. Clearly, we have now been told it is a done deal and there is no rolling back on it. The Taoiseach said yesterday that contracts have been signed. Therefore, if contracts have been signed, that is it. We have to be upfront with people. I know the Minister of State will be upfront this evening because that is clearly an issue we cannot revisit. However, the Tánaiste and Taoiseach talked about a new way for Coillte to pursue other options in terms of investment. I would like to hear something about that. This is really critical. I was in the Minister of State's constituency on Monday and visited C.J. Sheeran's wood construction company. He is a very impressive man with a very impressive company. I met the workers and saw the pallet operation and was highly impressed. I asked Mr. Mark Sheeran as I left his office what three things he would like me to ask the Minister of State. He said to plant trees, trees and more trees. That is the simple message. I would like to briefly hear a little bit about the Mackinnon report and the commitments to roll it out. I do not want to pre-empt what the Minister of State will say later at committee. That would not be right or fair. All the members will be there later.

The issue is that I received a call from a major forester today who told me the reality is that the Department is not accepting new applications for planting trees, which is unheard of in the State. We know those who have had planting licences approved for up to 31 September 2022 can immediately avail of the grants but the Department is not accepting new ones.

The final matter I will ask is about when this strategy will be adopted. I am conscious of the Commission and State funding rules and all of that. Those are some issues on which I would appreciate the Minister of State's response.