Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The need for a forestry strategy was one of the recommendations made by Mr. Jim Mackinnon in his report. Mr. Mackinnon was commissioned in 2019 to examine the processes for approving afforestation proposals and the linked issues for other forestry-related operations.

The development of a new forestry strategy will provide an opportunity to not only review the goals set out in the last forestry strategy for Ireland published in 2014, but also to adapt the strategy to the new challenges and requirements, and to provide a framework that will allow for the development of the forest sector in the medium and longer term. The renewed strategy will reflect both the programme for Government commitments and international best practise from an environment, social and economic perspective.

The newly-launched project woodland, which among other things looks to the development of woodland creation into the future, provides a dedicated working group for the preparation of a new forestry strategy for Ireland. This working group, chaired by Dr. Matt Crowe and with a representative membership of external stakeholders, seeks to develop a shared cross-society vision for the role of trees, woods and forests in Ireland's future. Work in this group is well under way. We will conduct an extensive public consultation strategy on the new forest strategy, to be carried out in the second half of 2021. It is envisaged that the new forest strategy will be launched in 2022.

I see this as an exciting opportunity to reframe the discussion on forestry in Ireland, which can be very divisive at times, and to engage all citizens in shaping this long-term strategy. I look forward to engaging with all parties during the public consultation phase.

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