Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares that he expects will be planted in forestry this year; the number he intends to fund for 2012; the benefits, if any, planting these areas will provide in meeting our climate change commitments; if he has the capital available to meet his commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38199/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is anticipated that payment will be made for approximately 7,000 hectares of new forestry in 2011. Funding for 2012 will be announced as part of the 2012 Budget process. Forestry makes a significant contribution to Ireland's climate change mitigation strategy. For the purpose of the Kyoto Protocol eligible forests (i.e. those planted since 1990) will sequester 11 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (Mt CO2 ) over the 5-year period to the end of 2012 (2.6 million tonnes in 2010). This represents 25% of the emission reductions arising from existing measures outlined in the National Climate Change Strategy.