Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)

I raise an important issue with the potential to affect many communities across Ireland. It relates to forestry. In Ballycastle in my county of Mayo, Coillte intends and proposes to plant a 30-acre site but the community does not want it and has expressed clearly that it does not want it in this location. The proposed site is right next to the Ballycastle GAA pitch.There are at least 12 or 13 houses in the immediate vicinity of this proposal. Coillte intends to go ahead with it as it stands but I am asking it to stop and engage. It is really important that we listen to communities. Communities like Ballycastle on the western seaboard and the Wild Atlantic Way have been decimated by depopulation but have very gracefully welcomed international protection applicants within the community and are trying to lead the regeneration of buildings and make them better places for emigrants to return to. Measures like this fly in the face of a community that is trying to lead strong regeneration. I commend my colleague Councillor Jarlath Munnelly who is working with the community on the ground. I have been liaising with various ministries to try to get this addressed. I call on the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, to meet with the community to discuss this further because the community is clear in its objection to it. The key issue, which can affect many communities across Ireland, is that Coillte makes the application to the Department of Agriculture and Food. There is a conflict of interest there that really needs to be called out. There needs to be objectivity. It is in the Department's interest to meet delivery goals and I do not think there is enough objectivity there. We have not clearly demonstrated how to deal with Storm Éowyn and the challenges it brought without trying to bring more forestry to a community that is totally against it. I call on the Minister to engage with the community.