I thank the Minister of State for taking this debate on forestry policy. It is particularly appropriate that we are holding this debate today because national tree week begins tomorrow.
I pay tribute to Coillte for its success under its brief as outlined in the Forestry Act, 1988. Its 1994 annual report records a profit of £10.83 million and record timber production figures. However, there is an urgent need to balance commercial considerations with the principles of conservation and to reexamine the legislative framework under which Coillte operates. I welcome the indication given by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in the Dáil on 30 January that the strategic plan charting the future of the industry to the year 2015 is in its final stages of preparation. Can the Minister of State say when it is proposed that the plan will be brought to Cabinet and subsequently published? I also welcome the Government's decision to develop a land use policy.
It might not be necessary to introduce new legislation as section 38 of the Forestry Act, 1988, appears to offer the relevant Minister the opportunity to issue policy instructions. There is widespread concern in many parts of the country that the growth of dense conifer plantations, which can often prevent light from reaching the forest floor, may not be conducive either to plant or animal life. Coillte's intention to increase the proportion of broadleaf species to a level equivalent to 10 per cent of new planting is a positive development but the 1994 annual report contains a proviso — it is largely dependent on the availability of suitable land at economic prices. We are all aware that suitable land at economic prices might not necessarily become available.
It appears that commercial considerations could frustrate the aim to increase the amount of broadleaf tree planting. There is also a danger that as land becomes more difficult to obtain there will be greater pressure to locate plantations in ecosystems that are of particular importance to flora and fauna which may be under threat. An example of this would be upland grouse moors. Concern has been expressed by NARGC and An Taisce about the threat to the ecosystem that sustains grouse in upland areas. It is important that forestry design follows natural trends as closely as possible so that trees of different species and at different stages of growth will inhabit the same forest.
There is a need to take a fresh look at forestry policy and to examine to what extent the continuation of present trends would be of benefit to the country. I am not questioning the good work Coillte has been doing to date but there is a need to change the balance with more emphasis on environmental considerations. I would like to know how many of the staff employed by Coillte have specific duties in relation to habitat preservation and environment. The annual report shows that despite Coillte's commercial success, the number of people employed has decreased in recent years. The numbers are broken down on a regional basis in the report and in my region, Limerick, average employment has decreased from 280 in 1990 to 163 in 1994. It is inevitable that machinery tends to replace people in many areas but the fact that profits have increased and the number of staff employed has decreased might indicate that there is room to recruit more staff with an environmental rather than a purely commercial brief.
About ten or 20 years ago people would have said there was great scope for tree planting in Ireland and that we did not exploit our ability to grow trees nearly as much as we should. In that regard, Coillte deserves congratulations for the rapid progress it has made and the success it has achieved, particularly in commercial terms. However, the time has come for some changes in policy so that environmental concerns, variety of planting and protection of habitats are incorporated into the day to day operation of forestry development.
