The position with forestry licence appeals has progressed from being a crisis to complete chaos. Forestry owners in this country are beside themselves with worry and anger. At the year's end, we are without a satisfactory resolution to this ongoing problem, and despite legislation and relaxation of regulations, we are still looking at a period of up to two years for the backlog of appeals to be cleared.

I was happy to support the legislation brought forward by the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, which would expedite the process for future applications. However, the problem remains in respect of the backlog. The Irish Farmers Association, IFA, has sought an amnesty to deal with delays. This proposed emergency solution is an attempt to deal with the scale of the problem. Without urgent action of this nature, we are consigning the sector to abject failure. What makes this crisis all the more frustrating for those involved is that it is a home-grown problem. The solution rests with the Government making proactive decisions such as an amnesty or dramatically increasing the staffing within the Department to process the backlog.

The longer this position is allowed to continue, the greater the damage to the industry. There are contradicting reports on the number of licences currently caught up in the appeals process. The IFA states there are 4,500 licence applications delayed, whereas a figure of 2,000 was recently quoted by Department officials. The IFA and many involved in the industry believe the Department's estimate completely underestimates the applications in waiting. They see this as a glaring anomaly as part of an effort to downplay the seriousness of the issue.

The delays in issuing licensing is demoralising and heartbreaking, and it is causing huge frustration and enormous financial pressure. Forestry farmers are enraged by the fact that they are not permitted to start work, pending a decision on their appeal. The Government must step up in a meaningful and effective way to halt this injustice and bring forward further measures to alleviate the hardship on the industry. Current problems have eroded confidence, with the result that few new forests are being planted.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has established that this year has seen only 1,900 ha of new afforestation, which is a staggering 35% reduction in comparison with last year. It is evident that national targets are alarmingly off course. We are underachieving in the sector, and the reasons for this poor performance can be associated with the costs and red tape involved with planting and managing a forest. There are too many disincentives to planting.

The Government must intervene to secure the future of forestry in Ireland. Will it consider an amnesty to allow clearance of the backlog and return the sector to some normality? The industry needs a fresh start and new initiatives to revitalise and restore confidence in a sector that is vital to our national interest.

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter, which relates to significant employment throughout the country. It was inherited by the Government and has been brought about by massive serial objections to forestry licences all over the country, which created paralysis in the system.

As the Deputy said, he supported a forestry Bill that was enacted in October, which brings the forestry licensing process in line with the planning process under the Planning and Development Act 2000. A detailed project plan is being put in place to address licensing files. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with its Minister, is investing heavily in additional resources to deliver the implementation of this plan. The Deputy referenced an amnesty or the dramatic increase in departmental staff, and this staff increase is happening. I will engage with the Minister on increasing staff numbers more if necessary.

Ten permanent forestry inspectors are joining the Department to assist with licensing, with four starting this week, and these will be supplemented by another four temporary forestry inspectors. Meanwhile, 16 ecologists are working on forestry licensing, with more to be hired. Additional administrative staff have been put in place along with the recruitment of a new project manager.

October and November were the months with the highest rate of licence output to date this year, with almost 600 new licences issued. Felling licences issued represented in excess of 1.4 million tonnes in timber volume, which is almost as much as the previous five months combined.

The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, has also significantly resourced the forestry appeals committee, with four such committees now set up and hearing appeals. Previously there had been just one committee. Last week the Minister appointed an independent chair, Ms Jo O'Hara, the former director general of Scottish Forestry, to advise the Minister on the implementation of the Mackinnon report. This is a key commitment of the programme for Government, which was to review the approval processes for afforestation in Ireland.

The Minister has also established a reform of the forestry programme implementation group, which had its first meeting last week. I assure the Deputy that no effort is being spared to resolve these matters and our response is beginning to pay dividends in increased output. There was a very significant backlog leading up to this. The Government is committed to a well-functioning, environmentally sustainable forestry sector. We must maintain the momentum and focus while continuing to grow output so a significant part of the regional and rural economy can develop.

One other aspect of this is forestry owners, who are required to have forests certified to access the market. They have been refused access to panel builds in Tipperary and elsewhere around the country with uncertified timber. This is a market requirement that will have real implications for small forest owners throughout the country.

Forest management certification can lead to restructuring of existing forests over time through implementation of the required management plan. This would take community concerns into consideration. Certification on existing forests would deliver for local communities as well as for forest owners and the industry. Forest owners will need certification to sell their timber in the immediate future.

The forest service in the Department has recognised the issue and allowed for primer grant aid to be put in place. Unfortunately, this has not been acted upon and the grant has not been paid. Does the Government intend to initiate a programme of primer grant aid for the sector?

That is an important issue. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and ask him to engage with the Deputy on the primer grant aid for smaller growers. The wider matter of small growers must be addressed proactively and positively by the Government. I will engage with the Minister in that regard.