The Forestry Act 2014 was meant to ensure forestry operations and activities were in compliance with the principles of sustainable forest management. I assure the Tánaiste it is having that effect. The waiting period for companies and individuals applying for tree-felling licences is beyond all. This is having an impact on timber processors who are trying to budget for the future and on people who availed of forestry grants 20 years ago and who are now seeking to fell trees as a means of generating income for themselves. When people apply for tree-felling licences, it is taking ages for them to be processed. Is there anything the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine can do? Is this a delaying tactic or is there a shortage of staff? I ask that the matter be investigated.

I have publicly acknowledged the difficulties being encountered. There is a delay but we have put a number of measures in place. New procedures are being developed. We are well aware of the issues. This has arisen, in the main, on foot of appropriate assessments and judgments of the European Court of Justice against Ireland, to which we have to adhere. We are, however, working hard on putting a new procedure in place. With that in mind, earlier this year I commissioned a study on processing procedures within the Department. That will be published on 28 November. On foot of that, we will develop new procedures and we will channel additional resources both for felling and for approval of licence applications.