Issues facing the forestry industry, including those related to licensing, are to be discussed tomorrow (Thursday) at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food, and the Marine
The meeting, which will start at 12:30pm in Leinster House, will include officials from the Department.
Committee Cathaoirleach, Jackie Cahill TD, said the Committee published a comprehensive report in March after extensive consultations, with 15 recommendations to address the huge difficulties facing the industry.
The targets in the Programme for Government, continued importation of timber for mills, and financial difficulties for contractors are the main issues arising out of the slow output of licences from the Department.
These and the low level of afforestation, which is critical in trying to meet climate change targets, are among the items to be discussed tomorrow.
Within the last few weeks, it has emerged that the the construction industry is under strain due to lack of supplies,
The Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.
The meeting in Committee Room 4 can be viewed on the Oireachtas website.
