Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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187. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the finalised complete new forestry strategy will be published. [61184/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, earlier this year the very first Shared National Vision for trees and forests in Ireland was published by the Department.

It is an ambitious vision, which if achieved, will result in an expansion of multi-functional and diverse forests, delivering multiple benefits for climate, nature, wood, people, economy and rural development. 

The Vision is based on the outcomes of a year long process of public consultation and engagement, which has produced wide ranging well represented views and rich insights into the views and values of Irish citizens and forestry stakeholders. 

Informed by this extensive public consultation and engagement process, as well as the text of the Shared Vision, a draft Forest Strategy has now been completed.

I believe it is an ambitious Strategy with a clear set of objectives, values and goals for the role of trees and forests in Ireland, and it will help create the conditions for achieving the ambitions of the Shared Vision. 

The draft Forest Strategy was published on 18 October for a six-week period of public consultation, during which time the public and stakeholders were encouraged to take part and to provide their views and comments. The closing date for receipt of submissions has now passed and the Department is currently collating and analysing the feedback from this consultation process.

All submissions and feedback will be given due consideration before the final Strategy is completed. We expect to be in a position to publish it in January.