Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the benefits that will be delivered as a result of the recently announced €3 million grant assistance under the COFORD research programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21862/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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All of the projects supported conform to the broad objectives of the COFORD forest research programme namely, to support sustainable and competitive forestry practices and policies and to contribute to building and maintaining a knowledge economy and scientific research in a vibrant forestry sector. The projects will produce benefits not only for producers but also for the wider rural community. They will also contribute to improved collaboration between various research institutions and to the establishment of critical mass in certain research areas. Three of the projects relate to forest energy which is an area of particular interest due to the environmental advantages of forest-derived fuels, the increasing cost of fossil fuels, and the opportunity for forest owners to develop wood fuel, a traditional forest product, in a way that will contribute to meeting the energy needs of modern society.