Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry I did not make myself clearer. I would have thought the Deputies would understand my accent at this stage. As Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry, I find these discussions very useful and informative. I also met the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine in July, which gave me an opportunity to update its members on developments within the forestry sector. I wish to respond to some of the issues raised. I hope I can answer as many questions and respond to as many issues raised as possible.

An earlier speaker - unfortunately, I cannot remember who - asked why a young farmer would embark on a programme of planting trees. It is said that the right time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second best time to plant one is now. In Scandinavia, where there is a longer rotation cycle, it is common practice for a hectare of new plantation to be planted on the birth of a child in order that that child, when he or she reaches retirement age, will have something of a nest egg or retirement fund. This just gives an idea that there is a commercial reality here to some of the countries that have the highest average plantations. In Finland, which I have had the pleasure to visit, up to 73% of the land area is covered by forestry. There are basically three species there, two conifers and one broadleaf: birch, Scots pine and Norway spruce. From these they generate quite a significant bioeconomy.

I believe there is general consensus that we need to increase the level of new forest planting to maintain the range of benefits we derive from our current forest resource. As mentioned in the amendment to the motion, the achievement of the afforestation target of 8,000 ha each year, as outlined in the climate action plan, will be challenging, and there is no denying that. The Government is committed to achieving it, though. We propose to do so through engagement with both private and public landowners and local communities to encourage new forestry planting, allied to the provision of attractive schemes, promotion of such schemes and creating awareness of the benefits of forestry. An increase in afforestation levels is an ongoing Government priority, as evidenced by the consistent allocation of funding over the years to the forestry programme. Successive national forestry programmes since 1990 have been funded at more than €3 billion, which is a significant dividend for rural Ireland. I expect next week's budget for 2020 to continue this support.

It is also a priority to ensure that forestry is developed in a sustainable manner and with due regard to the environment, particularly our climate and biodiversity challenges. The forestry sector is unique in that it can impact positively across different aspects of our society. It can generate economic activity in rural areas which may be unlikely to see the benefits of large industry or foreign direct investment. At the same time it can improve the quality of our environment by removing carbon from our atmosphere and improving the quality of our water. Our forests also provide opportunities for leisure and recreation to locals and visitors alike. I believe our current forestry programme balances the needs and expectations of all stakeholders, including supporting economic growth in the forest sector, ensuring that the environment is protected and supporting local communities in the provision of forest recreational facilities.

The programme introduced a number of important structural and design changes, including the restructuring of forestry schemes in order that they present real options to landowners in generating alternative sources of income. Accordingly, the current programme included new agroforestry and forest-for-fibre measures targeted specifically at farmers, providing them with options for grazing livestock alongside forestry. In the case of forestry-for-fibre, provision was made for the harvesting of timber after ten to 15 years rather than 30 to 40 years, as is the case with other types of forestry. The programme also includes a broadleaf planting target of 30%, with higher grants and premiums on offer for the planting of broadleaves, and provides for the planting of more diverse tree species. I am pleased to say that notwithstanding the effects of ash dieback on the rate of broadleaf planting, we are very close to achieving this 30% target.

A range of enhancements were also made to the programme on foot of the midterm review of the programme, with higher rates of grants and premiums now available for certain species mixes. The grant and premium rates for the agroforestry option have been trebled. I visited an agroforestry site in Kilcock, County Kildare, in August and it really showed the way in which forestry and the rearing of livestock could be integrated.

I am pleased to note that there has been a good uptake of the schemes, with the rate of broadleaves planted already increasing by 25% last year compared with the previous year. Native woodlands are important for biodiversity and play an important role in helping to protect water quality by filtering sediment and slowing down runoff water from upland areas. I am pleased to note payments issued in 2018 in respect of 374 ha of new native woodlands while support has also been provided this year, under the woodland improvement scheme, for the management of almost 680 ha of broadleaf plantations.

The introduction of a new continuous cover forestry programme earlier this year has been also well received, with the initial limit of 30 projects already fully subscribed. This initiative will transform forests into uneven-aged and permanent woodlands, enriching the biodiversity of these habitats and enhancing the landscape.

As I mentioned, one of the objectives in devising the current forestry programme was to balance the needs and expectations of all stakeholders. I have focused so far on the schemes available to landowners. However, I should also draw attention to the support available to local communities under the NeighbourWood scheme to develop local woodland amenities. We have a number of examples of such woodlands throughout the country, including Balla Town Park community woodlands in County Mayo; one in Dunmore East, County Waterford; Ballyseedy Woods, near Tralee, County Kerry; and the Vartry lakes walk in my area of Roundwood, County Wicklow.

I have established a forestry programme implementation group to monitor the implementation of the programme. The group comprises relevant State bodies, the forestry sector and, to correct Deputy Sherlock, environmental NGOs. This is an inclusive body designed to reflect all views on forestry, and we have taken a number of policy decisions on foot of its discussions. I have also commissioned, with the agreement of the forest implementation group, a Scottish consultant, Mr. Jim Mackinnon, to review our forestry policies and procedures. This is similar to an exercise he has undertaken for the Scottish authorities. I expect that the findings of Mr. Mackinnon's analysis will be brought back to the forestry implementation group at some point in the future, I hope by the end of November.

I assure Members that the achievement of our afforestation targets will not be to the detriment of the environment. My Department is required to vet carefully all applications for approval to plant forests, having regard to their potential impact on the surrounding environment, habitats, archaeological monuments and the social aspects of the proposal and ensuring that, silviculturally, the proposal meets the required standards. We are cognisant of our obligations in these regards.

"The forestry sector" is an all-encompassing phrase and I believe it fails to convey the range of interests in the sector, ranging from forest nurseries, forestry companies, landowners, local communities, the timber processing industry, the renewable energy businesses, the wider environmental sector and end users. Against this background I believe it is beneficial to increase awareness of forestry in general. To this end, funding was approved earlier this year for 15 initiatives to highlight the multifunctional benefits of forestry, to promote planting of more trees and to encourage sustainable forest management.

A number of successful events have taken place, including a woodland festival in County Leitrim. I also launched a forest connections project in County Kerry, which aims to get people of all ages out into the forests to observe, enjoy and participate in forest life, enabling them to feel connected to local forests and forests throughout Ireland and enhancing their feelings of well-being and knowledge of the essential place of forests in our life. These projects will assist in creating a better understanding of forestry and the way in which it benefits all sectors in society.

I am passionate about delivering the benefits of forestry for our people, rural economy and environment. I echo the comments of others about the need for this debate to be based on evidence and the best available science. This House has declared a climate and biodiversity crisis and it falls to us to show leadership on this issue. I thank Members for this debate. I am committed to working with every one of them and any other stakeholder who shares a desire and ambition for forestry in Ireland.

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