Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

As Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on the importance of planting of trees, and in particular our native trees. The Climate Action Plan 2021 sets an ambitious afforestation target when compared with recent afforestation rates and will be challenging to meet in the next decade. However, the Department is committed to addressing the current barriers that have resulted in low afforestation rates for all plantation sizes and these measures are part of the solution.

A key to the success of increasing afforestation rates is to build back confidence among landowners regarding the benefits of forestry and to provide greater integration on Irish farms. Introducing this exemption for afforestation in certain circumstances facilitates the exclusion of clearly defined activities from requiring an afforestation licence. These changes will provide opportunities for those engaged in afforestation to increase awareness among farmers who have not considered any tree-planting in the past. The design of any initiatives to utilise these measures will have to ensure compliance with all environmental law such as the environmental impact assessment, EIA, habitats and water framework directives. This measure will not allow tree-planting to take place that is not in accordance with best practice.

In advance of the development of a scheme, the Department will undertake a strategic environmental assessment, SEA, and an appropriate assessment. Furthermore, through scheme criteria and with advisory structures and approval processes in place, the inclusion of such an exemption can be undertaken only in a legally compliant and sustainable manner. If these changes are approved, the Department will carry out an SEA, which will include mandatory consultation with statutory bodies, the public and interested stakeholders. These proposed changes will have a positive impact on the environment and increase the levels of native tree-planting.

The focus on native tree species is to recognise the important environmental role they play in respect of climate change, biodiversity and water quality. The afforestation scheme will remain the main measure for planting native and commercial woodland at scale. Large forests of all species play a significant role in carbon sequestration and it is hoped that, if a farmer plants 1 ha, he or she may be encouraged to plant larger areas in future through our afforestation scheme.

I appreciate, however, that some Deputies may argue we need to address the current licensing backlogs and I assure them this remains my priority. The Department is committed to addressing the current barriers that have resulted in low afforestation rates in the past. Project Woodland, which has been established, is making good progress. We are examining a number of work streams, including a focus on reducing the backlog in licensing, as well as existing regulations and efficiencies in work processes.

Once this legislation has been enacted, we will carry out stakeholder consultation on the design of any proposed scheme and discuss how we can ensure maximum participation. The public and statutory bodies will also be provided with an opportunity to engage in the mandatory public consultation process required for the development of an SEA. Furthermore, the SEA will inform the development of the scheme eligibility criteria. In addition, the amended legislation can facilitate additional tree-planting in agri-environmental schemes and measures where tree-planting measures were historically capped below 0.1 ha. The role of registered foresters, agricultural consultants and advisers will be important when the schemes are being developed and we will engage with them over the coming months.

Streamlining the process for small native tree-planting will involve the landowner or his or her agent assessing and submitting applications that meet the eligibility criteria, which will be subjected to validation checks to ensure compliance. Once the Department has confirmed compliance with the eligibility criteria, it will issue approval to undertake tree-planting works. Following completion of the approved works, the landowner will submit an application for grant aid.

This legislation is in line with the programme for Government commitments to planting trees on areas of 1 ha and it will also enable the further planting of native trees. I encourage all Deputies to support this amendment. It is one part of the solution to increase tree-planting. Project Woodland is addressing a number of other areas of improvements that contribute to increasing our afforestation levels now and in future.

See this speech in context