Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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664. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to relax or rescind the afforestation rule (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49520/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Afforestation is considered a permanent land use change and this is important because deforestation is associated negatively with contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, loss of biodiversity and climate change.

Most countries have initiatives in place to restrict deforestation and promote woodland creation. The policy in Ireland is to prevent deforestation and increase the forest area. Reforestation after felling is essential to prevent deforestation, which would otherwise counteract the benefits of Ireland’s afforestation programme and other national policies, such as targets set in the Climate Action Plan.