It is clear that issue raises passions in people. I am a sheep farmer. I have farmed with my husband for 25 years. I know full well the challenges with trying to sell wool. I have seen prices dropping off over the past two and a half decades. I concur with all the concerns raised. Ultimately, the market is just not there. We can jump the gun. We can establish co-operatives and all these things, and we can have our wool presented in a certain way. However, making sure there is a market is the aspect we have to get r…

There were four points. I am sorry, I am trying to address everyone's concerns. Sheep shearing is a welfare issue. First and foremost, it is about the welfare of the sheep.

The wool is a by-product, but we have to do what we can to secure a suitable price for it.

I thank Deputy Browne for the question. Historically, afforestation premia were provided for under European Council regulation 2080/92 and were available to both farmers and non-farmers. Lower maximum rates applied in the case of non-farmers. Within this regulation, non-farmers were defined as any other private, natural or legal person. I draw the Deputy's attention to the landmark 2003 ECJ judgment for case No. 339-00 where it was held that, "such an entity, [Coillte Teoranta] as a public undertaking is not eligib…

I thank the Deputy. It is not really a matter of the Department revising anything in relation to the state aid rules. We had to wait until 1 January when the guidelines had come into effect. It looks like public landowners may be able to avail as beneficiaries, without restrictions, of these state aids. Again, we are seeking legal advice on this issue. I understand the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine had a positive and thorough engagement with Coillte last Wednesday, where part of thi…

I reassure the Deputy that my Department is currently in the process of seeking that legal advice on this matter. Certainly, due consideration will be given to its application under the next forestry programme. With regard to a reissue of a shareholder letter of expectation, that is an issue we will consider, but we must discuss that and agree that with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, who is the other shareholder in Coillte. Legal advice is being sought and when w…

I thank Senator Boyhan and his colleagues for tabling the motion and giving us the opportunity to discuss forestry in the Seanad. It also gives me the opportunity to comment on some of the points raised and outline some of the ongoing developments in the sector. I welcome the interest in this matter, which is evident from the contributions that have been made. I emphasise once again the importance of the forestry sector not only to the Irish economy but, as Senator Boyhan highlighted, to the Irish people. I also hi…

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I am aware of the incredibly concerning reports in connection with the white-tailed eagle. I strongly condemn this illegal act and I urge anyone with any information to contact either the National Parks and Wildlife Service or An Garda Síochána. I will first outline the regulatory position with regard to carbofuran. This chemical was formerly used as an insecticide in EU member states, including Ireland. Its EU approval for use in plant protection products was withdrawn b…

The pilot campaign proved to be very successful so running something similar again merits consideration. My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the EPA and other stakeholders to develop and implement a permanent national scheme for the collection of farm wastes. This could provide a mechanism to facilitate the identification and removal of existing stocks of carbofuran and other poisonous or illegally held chemicals. It is something we do need…

It is not.

Where are you getting this from?

Genuine concerns in relation to forestry have been raised in recent weeks, in particular, in relation to the Irish Strategic Forestry Fund. We had Private Members' business on Tuesday and we spent over three hours in committee last night talking about some of the issues that have arisen. I am aware it also has come up in Leaders' Questions. I am happy to have a chance to speak about the future direction of Irish forestry policy and, in particular, to urge farmers across the country to look at the new €1.3 billion f…

Let me be crystal clear. This new forestry programme will absolutely deliver on the right tree in the right place for the right reasons under the right management. Under the new programme, the incentives for native broadleaf forests, agroforestry and continuous cover forestry will be significantly increased, and there will also be support for a new forest type, emergent woodland. This is supporting for the first time naturally regenerated woodlands. A further example of our farmer and biodiversity-friendly approach…

I thank Senator Boyhan for his fair and measured observations of the forestry sector. He asked a few more questions than were in his original question but we will see how we get through them. I welcome the opportunity to update Senators on the progress of the new forestry programme and Coillte's plans to increase afforestation. As Members will know, afforestation levels in recent years have been declining and we recognise that urgent action is needed to address this decline. This is why the Government has committed…

Yes, we need to receive full state aid approval before we can fully get our forestry programme up and running. However, as I indicated, that does not stop any trees going in the ground. Anyone who has an existing licence can plant under the arrangements of the proposed new programme, and we have been given that permission. I understand we are finalising our over-and-back process with the Commission and we have to get back to the Commission with more information. I would like to think we will be making our informed …

Genuine concerns about forestry have been raised in recent weeks, particularly in relation to the Irish Strategic Forestry Fund. It is because of those concerns that I am happy to have this opportunity to speak about the upcoming forestry programme, the forest strategy, and the Irish Strategic Forestry Fund. Government policy is to increase our forest estate from 11.6%, to 18% by 2050. To reach this target, we will have to create an additional 450,000 ha of new forests by 2050. Last November, the Government announc…

No, it is not.

No, they are not.

If the Deputy had been on time, there would have been plenty of time for questions. He turned up late.

That is not true.