With regard to private afforestation, £18 million was allocated over a ten year period. However, during the last two years a sum of £61,000 was taken up one year and £74,000 the following year. Does the Minister agree that this is a ridiculously low figure and will he give an indication of what measures he intends to take to remedy this?

The question of afforestation is a matter for the Department of Fisheries and Forestry.

Does the Minister agree that energy projects are very closely related to afforestation? The Minister says that the figures are disappointing, does that mean that the figures from the Department of Fisheries and Forestry are inaccurate?

This is not the responsibility of my Department.