Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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966. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total hectares of afforestation for each of the past ten years; the total area of afforestation planted with Sitka spruce in each of those years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27981/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The table below shows the total hectares of afforestation for each of the past ten years, the area of afforestation planted with Sitka Spruce and the percentage of Sitka spruce planting as a percentage of the total.

The Deputy may be aware that over the past two years, comprehensive engagement and public consultation has taken place to gather views and opinions from society and stakeholders on the new draft Forest Strategy. It was clear across all strands of the consultation that trees and forests are important to people and communities and that they are very much aware of the multi-benefits that they provide at a personal, community, national and global level. There was commonality across all the consultation strands that Ireland needs more trees and forests, both in rural and urban areas and on private and publicly owned land.

Ireland should be ambitious in its targets and there is a broad preference for more mixed forests in the landscape and a wish to see more native and broadleaf trees established. The proposed Forestry programme reflects this with a target of 50% broadleaves for all newly afforested sites and a mandatory minimum of 20% broadleaf species component for all new forest types including Sitka spruce, supporting increased biodiversity and habitat linkages.