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Fine Gael Minister of Stare for Food, Forestry and Horticulture Andrew Doyle, for Wicklow East Carlow, has said that the Gardaí’s Operation Thor is helping to protect communities in Wicklow, with the latest CSO crime figures showing a significant reduction in burglaries and theft in the Eastern Garda Region.

“I know that people across rural Ireland have huge concerns around protecting their property, but the Gardaí’s Operation Thor has already been a real success in helping to protect people and their homes in Wicklow. This is highlighted by the recent CSO figures which show reductions in burglary and theft over the 12 month period up to the end of Quarter 2 2016. In the Eastern Garda Region, burglary and other offences have reduced by 33% and theft and other offences have reduced by 15%.

“In fact, all Garda regions have reported significant reductions in theft and burglary over the 12 months up to the end of Q2 2016, showing Operation Thor is having an effect. Nationally, burglary is down 26.3% and theft is down 12.3%.

“Additional resources for Garda operations in 2016, includes provision for the ongoing implementation of Operation Thor throughout the country. An additional €55 million has been provided, doubling the overtime available for intensive policing and crime prevention activity. This is really good news for the protection of communities and homes in Wicklow.

“Aside from Operation Thor, there have been other positive developments in the local fight against crime. Just last week, the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald announced that the funding for the Community Alert Programme has been doubled to €350,000 and now incorporates a new €100,000 rebate scheme for local groups registered under the Garda Text Alert Scheme. This funding will go directly to local groups here in Wicklow, who are working in tandem with the Gardaí to help protect our local communities.

”In addition, Garda recruitment continues apace and Minister Fitzgerald has committed to increasing the overall strength of the Garda Force to 15,000. This will occur alongside a process of modernisation and investment in effective policing and will provide a modern police service which can continue to tackle crime effectively and efficiently.

“Fine Gael is committed to tackling crime and protecting our communities here in Wicklow. This Government is using the resources from our economic recovery to invest in crime prevention ensuring that criminals know that burglary and crime will not go unpunished.”

Making the announcement, Minister Doyle added, “Since responsibility for forestry was assigned to me earlier this year, I have been encouraged by the level of interest in, and enthusiasm for, forestry among farmers and indeed other landowners. I believe that forestry is a viable land use option either on its own or in combination with other farming enterprises. As a Wicklow based farmer, I am no stranger to forestry and am well aware of its benefits as part of a diverse farming undertaking.”

The Minister continued, “The availability of establishment grants for the initial planting of the forest and premium payments for 15 years are widely known but are not the full story. Those contemplating forestry should also factor in the generous tax incentives for thinning and final harvesting so that both the medium to long term returns from forestry are taken into account and I believe that investment in forestry compares very favourably with investment in other enterprises”.
While noting the socio-economic benefits of forestry, Minister Doyle also highlighted that forestry is poised to play an important role in helping to meet the EU’s new proposal on emission targets to 2030 and the resultant importance for our environment that the current level of new forestry planting is not only maintained but increased year on year.

The Minister of State commented, in this regard, that “My Department, in close co-operation with Teagasc and an industry representative group, is in the process of drafting a new promotion plan for the sector. This will involve a co-ordinated approach by the industry as a whole, the core message of which is that forestry is a good option for farmers. This message, and an indication of this close collaboration between all elements within the forestry sector, is outlined in the new videos on forestry which are being shown on the Big Screen here at the Ploughing Championships.”

Minister Doyle concluded by saying: “I am aware of concerns about forestry in certain parts of the country but I can assure people that forestry can play an important part in the development of rural economies and that this can be achieved in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. My personal experience of forestry has been very positive and I would encourage all farmers and landowners to consider forestry as an investment”.