Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for his contribution and for his questions, particularly those relating to the area of forestry. I sometimes despair about the general narrative around forestry because it seems to suggest that forestry policy is monolithic and insists on a particular species and a particular way of planting. The issues that, understandably, excite people in the context of forestry policy relate to the type of policy which is, fortunately, no longer with us. This policy involved planting right up to the side of the road and right up to the back of people's gardens. This left many communities and individuals to live in shadow and increased their sense of isolation. That type of forestry policy has, fortunately, largely been consigned to the past.

There is now much more regulation in the area and a greater diversity of species involved. For example, almost 40% - something like 38% - of afforestation approved to date in 2020 consists of broadleaf species. Anyone listening to the narrative on public airwaves and on social media would believe we are planting nothing but Sitka spruce. Almost 40% of afforestation now consists of broadleaf species. With regard to our forestry targets, the number of applications in 2020 has increased 20% on this time last year. That reflects well on the mid-term review of the forestry programme which was carried out recently. This saw significant changes to the premiums paid. Greater premiums are now paid for planting broadleaves.

There is also support for different types of forestry. There are still traditional commercial afforestation plans but there is also continuous use forestry and agroforestry. This involves afforestation at a much lower density and is compatible with continuing to farm while growing trees. That is really important from a social point of view because many farmers do not want to throw in the towel on their traditional methods of farming but still want to see if they can carry on some forestry, with significant financial support from the State including tax-free premiums. That mix of new afforestation types is resulting in a significant level of new interest in afforestation.

See this speech in context