Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether it is possible that Ireland will meet its afforestation targets in view of the recent cutbacks in premia and the resulting negative effect this has had on the confidence of farmers in the scheme generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20285/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Maintaining an active afforestation programme was an important consideration in deciding how to make the most effective use of limited resources following the supplementary budget on April 7. New planting is a key element of the Government's overall strategy for forestry and funding for 5,500 hectares of new planting in 2009 has been preserved. I am confident that this level of planting will be achieved in 2009. With the continued availability of grants to cover establishment costs the overall planting package should still provide an attractive land-use option for farmers.

The expansion of Ireland's forest estate has been a policy objective of successive Irish Governments and this Government is committed to maintaining that policy.