Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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596. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that no further reduction in viable agricultural land is conceded to the forestry industry or other sectors thus reducing the food production capacity of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35540/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In Ireland the right to private property is enshrined in the constitution. Farmers and landowners are subject to the relevant regulatory framework and are entitled to use their land as they wish.

There are many demands on our land - to deliver on the environment, on biodiversity and indeed contributing to our energy security including the critical importance of food production in terms of food security and the very important role it plays in rural livelihoods and the rural economy.

The importance of forestry and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere will play an important role in reducing emissions from the land use sector which is currently a net source of carbon dioxide. Decisions on land use are complex and Ireland has a target to increase forest cover from 11.6% to 18%. The new Forestry Programme which is currently being examined by the European Commission as part of the State Aid process aims to provide €1.3 billion in grants and supports for a wide range of measures.

It is important to note that land use change to forestry is voluntary and it will be the land owner who will make the ultimate decision to plant trees. The land Use Review Phase 2 will now examine in more detail the policy decisions around how we use our land and I look forward to this next phase of the review.