Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Another issue is the shambolic management of Ireland's forestry policy, which has led to farmers losing complete confidence in the forestry sector. That is compounded by the refusal of the Department to provide appropriate recompense for farmers impacted by ash dieback.

The total amount of land planted for forestry in 2023 was 1,650 ha. That corresponds with the lowest volume in the history of the State. The last time we planted as low as that was in 1946. Somebody needs to take control of that Department and sort out the mess that exists there.

The residential zoned land tax continues to be a serious issue for the farmers affected by it. The implementation of this tax is completely unfair and places a penal charge on farmers with land on the outskirts of towns and villages that is unlikely to be ever used for housing projects. All genuinely farmed land should be exempt from this tax. Many of the farmers adversely affected in Tipperary North-Kilkenny have gone through the process of requesting dezoning and-or an exemption to this tax to the local authority and An Bord Pleanála. In the majority of instances, these requests have been refused. This will result in the imposition of an unaffordable and inequitable tax on farmers.

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